UK retail sales grew by far less than expected in March amid signs of consumer caution, official figures showed today.
Sales volumes rose by just 0.4% during the month - far below the 0.8% expected by the City - although the value of goods sold rose 0.9%.
Annual growth in retail sales volumes now stands 2.2% ahead of 12 months ago, the Office for National Statistics said.
Separate figures showed that Britain's public debt hit a record £152.8 billion in the 12 months to March, but this was below the government's forecast ahead of an election.
The Office for National Statistics said the borrowing amount was £65.9 billion higher than in the same period of 2008/09, as a record recession slammed the country's tax revenues.
Cutting public debt, while not choking off recovery, is at the heart of campaigning ahead of Britain's general election on May 6.
