British retail sales plunged in February as snowy weather and economic gloom kept consumers away from the shops, official figures show.
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said sales fell 1.9 per cent in February, nearly five times the 0.4 per cent fall expected by analysts.
That took the annual rate of growth to just 0.4 per cent -- its weakest since September 1995 and well below forecasts for 2.5 per cent.
The ONS said sales fell across the board last month. A major factor was the snowy weather at the start of the month which brought much of Britain to a standstill.
The economic downturn also played a part in making consumers reluctant to spend.
The fall in spending coincided with a small pick-up in prices as seasonal discounts came to an end.
Prices rose 0.3 per cent on the year, after a 0.9 perc ent fall in January.
Reuters