LONDON, May 26 (Reuters) - Shares in British retailers rallied on Thursday on hopes that a new 15 billion pound ($19 billion) package of support for households struggling to meet soaring energy bills will encourage them to keep spending.
Britain announced a 25% windfall tax on oil and gas producers' profits alongside the package of household support.
That sparked a rally in retail stocks that have been battered in recent months over the feared repercussions of the cost-of-living crisis.
Shares in Marks & Spencer were up 6.7% at 1305 GMT, Next was up 5.4%, while Primark owner Associated British Foods was up 3.2%. (Reporting by James Davey; Editing by Hugh Lawson)
Marks & Spencer (MKS)
Next (NXT)
AB Foods (ABF)
Kingfisher (KGF)