Consumer spending 'boosted in April'
April was a good month for consumer spending, according to the head of media campaigns at the British Retail Consortium.
Richard Dodd warned, however, that there is still a long way to go before it will be possible to conclude that April's good results imply a permanent turn around.
His comments come as the Nationwide Consumer Confidence Index rose by eight points to 50 in April, the largest rise in two years.
In addition, the Alliance Trust's Financial Reality Index suggested a slight improvement in consumers' financial wellbeing in the first three months of 2009.
According to the UK's payment association Apacs, more people chose to spend on their credit cards last year, as consumer spending on the cards increased by two per cent.
Mr Dodd said: "The onset of spring has given a boost particularly to clothing retailers who have seen their first year-on-year growth in a long time."
Although clothing sales were up, there is still no improvement in furniture sales which are experiencing their worst sales figures in years, according to the head of media campaigns.
Written by Sarah Wilkins ©
