Retail sales tick higher - BDO

UK retail sales nudged higher last week, industry data showed on Friday, helped by improving weather.

According to the latest BDO high street sales tracker, total like-for-like sales rose by 1.14% in the week ending 2 June.

Within that, in-store sales ticked up 1.32% and non-store sales 3.41%. That was, however, down on the previous week, when in-store sales and non-store sales jumped 6.71% and 6.81% respectively.

Demand for lifestyle goods remained strong, with total lifestyle sales up 9.21%. Homewares also performed well, rising 7.83%.

But fashion fell sharply, down 7.82%.

A year previously, total like-for-like sales rose by 3.4% in the week ending 4 June.

BDO noted that last week - which included the spring bank holiday and half term in many parts of the country - started with heavy showers and long spells of rain. However, more settled conditions had developed by the close of the week, including dry and warm spells.

Retail parks saw a 1.4% increase in footfall, while shopping centres recorded a 1% rise. High street footfall declined by 0.7%, however.