Bloomberg Trade appears set to make a rare contribution to U.K. economic growth in the second quarter despite a sharp decline in exports in May. Figures published by the Office for National Statistics showed the deficit in goods and services widened to 2.3 billion pounds (US$3 billion) from 2 billion pounds in April. Exports fell 4.4 percent, with shipments …

  Bloomberg Gap Inc, the biggest US apparel-focused retailer, posted June sales that topped analysts’ estimates, a sign the company’s long-promised turnaround could be taking hold. Total same-store sales, a key benchmark, rose 2 percent in June, the San Francisco-based retailer said in a statement. Analysts had predicted a 3.6 percent decline, according to estimates compiled by Retail Metrics. The …

  Bloomberg UK retailers had their worst June in a decade as consumers reined in spending ahead of the country’s European Union referendum, according to figures from accounting firm BDO. Sales at stores open at least a year fell 3.6 percent last month, with weekly figures deteriorating progressively, BDO research showed. A separate report from researcher GfK showed UK consumer …