UK retail sales rise adds to GDP revision hopes

Sales volumes are up 2.8% on an annual basis, while June's retail figures were also revised upwards, from 0.1% to 0.8%, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said. The increase has increased expectations the UK's second quarter GDP decline of 0.7% is expected could be revised upwards when the second estimate is published later this month. Last week, the ONS announced the construction sector contracted a smaller decline in output in the second quarter than previously announced. That will revise GDP upwards by at least 0.1%, the ONS added.