Drop in retail sales
Retail sales fell by 0.6% in January, the Office for National Statistics has revealed.
Sales volumes also fell by 0.6% year-on-year, despite analysts forecasting a modest increase.
Small retailers have suggested that heavy snow fall in the second half of January disrupted sales.
Labour seized on the "disappointing" figures, saying they "underline the weak state of our economy".
"David Cameron and George Osborne must take action now to kick-start the economy and support our struggling high streets before more long-term damage is done," Shadow Treasury minister Catherine McKinnell said.