Warm weather boosts pub sales but retailers struggling

ONE of the hottest Aprils on record resulted in people packing into pubs as latest figures show bar sales in the month soared 1.5%.

The warm sunshine also resulted in a 1.4% increase in sales at department stores and a 1.6% hike in the sale of clothing and footwear.

However, fuel sales were down a further 0.2% last month and are now almost 12% lower in the last year.