Retail spending has nudged up a touch in the first month of the year.
Official figures show spending using debit, credit and charge cards rose by a seasonally adjusted 0.3 percent in January, after a flat result the month before.
Three of the six retail industries measured made gains, led by higher spending in bars, hotels, and restaurants, and the buying of big-ticket items like furniture and appliances.
Core retail spending, which excludes vehicle-related industries, rose by 0.6 percent last month.
