British August retail sales see strong rise: CBI

LONDON (MarketWatch) -- British retail sales volumes rose in August at the fastest annual pace since April 2007, the Confederation of British Industry said Thursday. The trade group's monthly survey found 53% of retailers said sales rose in the first two weeks of August compared to the same period last year, while 18% reported a fall, producing a balance of +35%. The balance was up slightly from the July survey, which produced a reading of +33%.