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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Business
Tom Knowles

British retail sales jump as online jewellery firms offer surprise Christmas sparkle

Office for National Statistics Gold
a pile of various gold rings
Online jewellers reported higher demand for gold and silver. Gold is considered a safe haven commodity. Photograph: Dmytrii Minishev/Alamy

UK retail sales were stronger than expected last month, as the nation’s shops received a surprise boost during the crucial Christmas trading period.

Sales volumes across Great Britain rose by 0.4% in December, according to figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), with internet sales doing particularly well, especially online jewellers.

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