Electrical goods help retail sales to annual 5.1% rise

Retail sales were stronger than anticipated in April and continue to improve across the economy, analysts said yesterday.

Sales increased 5.1% on an annual basis, and 0.8% in the year.

Excluding the motor industry, retail sales were up 0.6% in the month, and were 3.6% higher in the year, compared with a revised, annual rise of 6.1% in March.