Housing and Retail Rise But Remain Frail

Reuters press digest reports that newly released figures show an increase in retail spending and continued resilience, while expectations of more sales in the housing market have exposed a surprisingly robust recovery during the downturn. According to data compiled by the British Retail Consortium, retail sales for the three months to April 2010 rose by 3.8 percent on 2009 statistics. Meanwhile, the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, said more estate agents experienced rising house prices for April, with more predicting a rise in sales. But while the RICS described spring as a season of "renewed optimism", Stephen Robertson, director-general of the BRC, said although customers appeared more willing to spend than in 2009 they were "still nervous".