Sales rose in the retail market by 1.6% in April as consumers resumed spending after the cold weather earlier in the year.
Furthermore, The Office for National Statistics said the sector remained "broadly subdued" and analysts said the underlying trend was "lacklustre".
Sales rose just 0.1% on the previous quarter in the three months leading up to April.
April's figure was boosted by a 4.7% surge in petrol sales, after falling in March because of the snow disruption.
"Retail sales bounced back in April, as petrol and other sales recovered from the snowfall. But the underlying position remains subdued with the volume of goods sold over the last six months broadly unchanged," said Rob Kent-Smith of the ONS.
"Department stores declined following relatively strong sales last month, when their online sales were boosted during the adverse weather.
“Over the longer-term, retail sales growth has slowed considerably, with increases in food, household goods and internet retailers being largely offset by declines across all other types of retailing."
