The CBI data shows that 38 per cent of retailers said sales volumes were up between March 29 and April 19, compared with 36 per cent who said they were down - a positive 2 per cent sales growth. Positive sales were last recorded in February last year.
Seymour Pierce analyst Richard Ratner said: 'One must remember that Easter was in April this year, thus a positive balance is nothing to write home about under the circumstances.'
Sales varied across different sectors. DIY retailers experienced their first growth since December 2004 and booksellers and stationers recorder their first month of growth in ten months.
However, furniture and carpet stores had recorded a balance of minus 64 per cent and footwear also remains in the negative.
CBI DTS panel chairman and executive director of Asda John Longworth said: 'April's survey could be interpreted as an early sign of a mild revival on the high street. But let's not jump the gun. We will have to wait and see whether this summer's World Cup yields the anticipated boost in sales and wait for signs of sustained recovery to be confirmed. By the standards of recent years, the retail sector is still fairly depressed.'
Expectations for May are 12 per cent below the seasonal norm.
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