High street sales growth slumped to its lowest level since November after being hit by the later timing of Mothers’ Day and Easter.

But the latest trades survey from the CBI showed shops are expecting the upcoming celebrations to drive a sales bounce-back over the next month.

The figures revealed the rate of sales growth was far slower than expected in March and marked a sharp reversal of buoyant conditions in February.

A poll of 106 firms between February 25 and March 12 found 36 per cent of retailers overall said sales volumes in the year to March were higher, while 23 per cent said they were down, giving a balance of 13 per cent.

In a sign that conditions are set to improve markedly, a balance of 36 per cent of those surveyed believe sales will rise next month in the highest expected growth rate since December 2010.

Barry Williams, chairman of the CBI distributive trades survey panel and Asda’s chief merchandising officer for food, said: “The pace of growth has slowed, likely in part down to the later timing of Mothers’ Day and Easter. Conversely, this is the same reason many retailers are looking forward to more robust growth next month.”

The hard-hit grocery sector saw sales growth increase at the slowest pace for four months, while department stores and other non-specialised retailers saw sales fall, the CBI said.

Supermarkets have reported difficult trading conditions in recent months as cost-conscious consumers turn to discount chains and rein in spending.

Bradford-based Morrisons revealed its worst figures for five years with a loss of £176 million amid falling sales and one-off costs of £903 million.

It launched a three-year £1 billion price-cutting campaign to tackle the growing threat from budget chains Aldi and Lidl which will dent future profits.

Sainsbury’s last week revealed it broke a nine-year run of underlying sales growth in the quarter to March 15, with like-for-like sales excluding fuel dropping by 3.1 per cent.