Britain''s retail sales rose 2.6 per cent last month on a like-for-like basis thanks to strong demand for autumn fashions, industry data
revealed Monday. Figures from the British Retail Consortium (BRC) showed total September sales grew 5.5 per cent year-on-year from 5.1 per cent in August.

"This is the fourth consecutive month where like-for-like sales growth has been between two and three per cent, indicating consolidation at a steady rate of growth," said BRC director general, Bill Moyes. "The figures for September will give retailers some reason to be cautiously optimistic in the crucial run-up to Christmas."