Retail sales rebounded in February after a tough January on the High Street, according to new data from the British Retail Consortium (BRC).

Like-for-like sales were up 2.2 per cent, the BRC said, compared to the 0.7 per cent drop seen in January.

The rise has been greeted with caution, however, as sales for this February compare with very weak trading in February last year.

“Despite appearances, these results are not that strong,” said Stephen Robertson, director general of the BRC.

“The growth is compared with very weak figures a year ago when February saw the worst of last winter’s weather and this February’s performance was helped by sales postponed from January – particularly sales of non-food items such as homewares.”