UK retail sales fell in January, as consumers cut back following the Christmas spending surge, although sales were up on last year when they were hit by heavy snowfall.

Sales volumes fell by 1.5% last month, following a strong increase in December when sales jumped by 2.5%.

However, sales in January remained 4.3% higher than a year earlier, according to data from the Office for National Statistics.

Non-food sales saw "notable" annual sales growth, up 8% from a year earlier.
Ian Geddes, UK head of retail at Deloitte, said: "In stark contrast to the flurry of January administrations seen in recent years, we saw no major retailers go under last month. This is a clear sign of the sector's improving health. Despite the adverse weather that has affected the start of the year, retailers will be hoping that strong sales will continue into 2014."