The British Retail Consortium reported that year-to-year retail sales in August increased by 3.6% which was 0.3% less than in July. Like-for-like (adjusted for floor space changes and opened/closed outlets) sales increased by 1.8% which was 0.4% less than in July. Despite the slightly worse numbers this added to the views that UK's economy is recovering as Britons seemed more keen to make larger purchases like furniture and household appliances.