In figures released today the Office of National Statistics said sales volume in the three months November to January rose by 1.5% compared with the previous three months.
The figures also show the increase in retail sales volume was largely bolstered by strong sales in household goods stores and the non-store retailing and repair sector.

Sales volume for household goods stores increased by 4.2%, the biggest rise since August 2007 and largely reflects heavy discounting.

Sales volume in the non-store retailing and repair sector rose by 8.3% the largest increase since records began in 1986, a significant driver within this sector is the increase in internet retail sales.

According to the ONS total sales volume in January compared with December increased by 0.7%, while sales volume in food stores fell by 0.1% and rose by 1.6% in non-food stores.