Shopping rebounds on supermarkets and January sales

Retail sales rebounded in January as shoppers flocked to stock up on food at supermarkets and take advantage of new year bargains.

Official figures revealed a 3.4% jump in sales following a record drop in December.

Food sales at supermarkets rose strongly while department stores reported a positive impact from January sales.

However, inflation remained elevated with people paying more for less.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said that the value of goods people bought in January went up 3.9%, compared to the 3.4% increase in the volume of products they purchased.

"Sales increased across nearly all retail sectors and it was a particularly strong month for supermarkets," said Heather Bovill, deputy director for surveys and economic indicators at the ONS.

"Household goods stores, sports shops and department store retailers were among those reporting robust trading due to January sales promotions."

Shop sales fell sharply in December which the ONS attributed to people shopping earlier for Christmas during Black Friday sales in November.

But it also said that 46% of nearly 2,400 people that it surveyed last year said they planned to spend less on Christmas food or gifts "because of the rising cost of living".