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UK's Monthly Retail Sales Fall 0.5% in July

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Britain's monthly retail sales declined 0.5% in July after a revised 0.7% growth in June, according to data from the Office for National Statistics published Friday.

Analysts expected a 0.4% dip for the month.

On a yearly basis, UK retail sales grew 1.6%, against the revised 3.8% increase previously and the expected 2.2% rise.

Excluding automotive fuel, retail sales were down 0.9% month over month and up 2.3% annually, following the revised gains of 0.9% and 5% earlier, respectively. The figures compare with the consensus estimates of a 0.5% monthly decline and a 3.3% yearly increase.

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