Retail sales increased in August compared with the same month a year ago, according to figures released by the British Retail Consortium (BRC).

Like-for-like sales rose by 1% and on a total sales basis, sales rose by 2.8% compared with a year ago.Strong sales of school uniforms as children return to schools following the summer break has been attributed to the rise which has also been helped by last year’s weak figures.

The BRC warned that consumers are still wary of purchasing expensive items due to uncertainty over government cutbacks.

"Back-to-to school wear and the onset of autumn helped clothing and shoes produce a small overall improvement in non-food sales," said Stephen Robertson, director general of the BRC.