U.K. RETAIL SALES RISE 2.2 PCT IN FEBRUARY The volume of U.K. Retail sales rose a provisional, seasonally adjusted 2.2 pct in February after falling a final 2.2 pct in January, figures released by the Department of Trade and Industry show. The February sales index, base 1980, was put at a preliminary 125.0 after a final 122.3 in January. In the three months from December to February, the level of sales was little changed over the previous three months but was nearly six pct higher than the same year ago period. On a non-seasonally adjusted value basis, retail sales in February were a provisional 9.0 pct higher than a year earlier. The Department noted the latest figures were similar to the average in the fourth quarter last year but well above the January index, which was depressed by the effects of severe weather. The February trading period comprised the four weeks February 1 to 28. Final February retail sales figures will be published on April 6.