· The CBI survey shows sharp weakness on the part of consumers in April. Sales from one year ago register a -26 on this net balance scale. Orders are a -28.and sales for the time of year are assessed an even weaker looking -38. Indeed, sales for the time of year are in the bottom 9% of their range, the same as for year-ago sales. Orders are in the bottom 12 percent of their range. The expected readings that apply to May are similarly weak with orders in the bottom 25 percentile of their range. Sales for the time of year, as well as the Yr/Yr change in sales, stand in the lower 10 percentile of their respective readings. The UK retail sector is beginning to feel some pain. Inventories are rising and are expected to rise further next month. That could compound problems in the sector.