Despite a slight dip in April sales, official statistics reveal that small and medium-sized businesses enjoyed strong sales figures in the last quarter.
The figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show that the volume of retail sales from February to April was 1.2 per cent higher than the previous quarter.
"The average weekly value of sales in April was £4.9 billion, five per cent higher than in April 2006," the report said.
"Sales by food stores increased by 4.9 per cent over the year, compared with 4.5 per cent growth for non-food stores and 13.5 per cent for non-store retailing."
However, ONS figures for April said that retail sales volumes were 0.1 per cent lower than in March, with sales of household goods dipping by three per cent.
Given the cyclical nature of the business, SMEs are now being warned to prepare for the pinch, while some experts are also predicting that the strong figures will make yet another interest rate rise for June inevitable.
