The Office for National Statistics released its retail sales data for the U.K. on Thursday. Retail sales in the U.K. climbed 1.3% in April, exceeding expectations for a 0.5% gain, after a 0.5% decline in March. March's figure was revised up from a 1.3% decrease.

Food sales were up 0.1% in April, while non-food store sales increased 2.5%.

On a yearly basis, retail sales in the U.K. jumped 4.3% in April, beating forecasts of a 2.5% increase, after a 3.0% rise in March. March's figure was revised up from a 2.7% gain.