French consumer spending on manufactured goods rose by an unexpected 1.1 percent in March, after a revised 1.8 percent fall in February. The figures were helped by a rise in car and clothing sales.

Textile and leather sales were up by more than three percent, while experts say the strong monthly rises seen in vehicle sales are evidence of the fact that buyers have been encouraged by government subsidies for trading in old-for-new.More about: Economy, France

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