Rise in UK sales stronger than expected

UK retail sales rose by 0.6% in September, according to the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS). That was stronger than analysts had forecast and more than reversed a 0.4% fall in August. The ONS also reported that sales were 0.6% higher than September last year. A rise in laptop and computer game sales helped to boost the numbers. The ONS also said sales made over the internet continued to climb. However, clothing sales were 2.1% lower than in the previous year, the sector's biggest annual fall since April 2008.