Black Friday discounts helped drive a surprise jump in UK retail sales last month, as shoppers splashed out online and in department stores.
Official figures showed retail sales volumes were up 1.7% from the month before, beating forecasts for growth of 0.5% in a Reuters poll of economists. On the year, sales volumes were up 5%, defying the 3% growth forecast.
While much of the volume growth was down to discounting, the amount spent was also up on the year, by 1.4%. Economists said the figures suggested the overall UK economy would end the year on a strong note. The Office for National Statistics said the figures included Black Friday sales on 27 November but not Cyber Monday, on 30 November this year, when online retailers offer discounts.
