Total degree of spike a few seconds later (nowhere near enough time for me to make a rational decision based on the figures)
http://www.nicktodd.com/UKretailsales/pic3.gif
Spread widens to 20 pips - can not even think about getting in here
http://www.nicktodd.com/UKretailsales/pic4.gif
Price starts to fall back into preexisting place - my ideal opportunity to get in
http://www.nicktodd.com/UKretailsales/pic7.gif
that I dither and then go and screw it up entirely.
Http://www.nicktodd.com/UKretailsales/pic8.gif
CONCLUSION
There were a few chances to trade in the first 5 minutes, but the incredible reactions demanded along with the spread-widening make it impossible. In my view, the very best opportunity was to trade the market's response to this news, possibly going on the breakout of this news spike, or going short on the retrace. In case, I dithered and then traded at the instructions.