British retailers recorded their strongest monthly sales in nine months in August, data from the Confederation of British Industry showed, inconsistent with earlier expectations for a decline in sales as household living costs fell. The UK CBI retail sales margin jumped to 37 in August from -4. Martin Sartorius, chief economist at the Confederation of British Industry, said that while retail sales returned to steady growth in the year to August, businesses remained pessimistic about the business situation for the next three months, and that pessimism was reflected in retailers' In terms of investment willingness, their investment willingness is still very negative.