15 August 2013 Last updated at 04:39 ET
Retail sales in the UK jumped by 1.1% in July, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
The rise was significantly larger than expected and means sales are up 3% compared with last year - the fastest annual rise since January 2011.
The positive sentiment on the High Street adds to indications that the UK's economy is beginning to recover from its deep recession.
The retail industry accounts for about 5.7% of the economy.
The ONS said good weather had helped generate increased sales at supermarkets, with barbeque food, outdoor items, clothes and alcohol.
Source: BBC News - Business http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-23708928#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa
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