Retail sales rose strongly last month as cash-strapped shoppers looked for cheaper options.
Shoppers facing cost-of-living pressures turned to discount and second-hand stores last month, giving retail sales a surprise boost.
Food sales also rose, but the Office for National Statistics said there were signs price pressures had cut spending in restaurants and on takeaway meals.February's rise in sales was stronger than forecast, and followed an upwardly revised 0.9% increase in January.
"Looking at the latest retail sales figures you might be forgiven for wondering if Britain really is in the middle of a cost-of-living crisis," said Danni Hewson, head of financial analysis at AJ Bell.
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