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UK retail sales rise on heatwave demand and online promotions
Year-on-year retail sales climbed 4.2% in June, after analysts had expected a 0.3% monthly decline.
The UK retail sector posted a surprise gain in June as a heatwave and World Cup shopping helped support demand, according to data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), cited by the Guardian Business.
The ONS said the volume of retail sales in Great Britain rose 1.0% month on month in June, offsetting analyst expectations for a 0.3% decline. The heatwave period also pushed year-on-year sales up 4.2%, nearly double the 2.3% consensus expectation.
Online retailers were among the strongest performers, with internet retail sales reaching the highest level in five years. ONS said the shift was driven by promotions and warm weather, including strong demand for outdoor products, air conditioning, and clothing, and that the share of online sales is at its highest since spring 2021.
The report also showed non-store retail sales, mainly online, jumping 4.4% in June, while clothing and footwear stores posted a 1.9% increase versus May. By contrast, department stores reported a 1.7% month-on-month sales decline, after a stronger 2.5% rise the previous month.