ONS delays release of sales data over quality concerns

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has postponed the release of UK retail sales data for two weeks due to concerns about data quality, impacting economic performance evaluations and policy decisions. Monthly retail sales figures reflect consumer spending trends, influencing business growth and overall economic health. The delay raises questions about the reliability of ONS data, crucial for government policy and decisions like setting interest rates. The ONS apologized for any inconvenience caused by the delay in this key economic indicator.