UK June retail sales rise 4.6% as shoppers seek hot weather essentials

UK total retail sales increased by 4.9% in June as the warmer weather brought shoppers out for items such as beach towels and barbeque food, according to a survey published on Tuesday.

The rise compared with a fall of 1% in June last year and is above the three-month average growth of 4.6% and the 12-month average growth of 4.0%, the British Retail Consortium survey showed.

On a like-for-like basis, retail sales increased by 4.2% in June, against a decline of 1.3% in June 2022. Food sales increased 9.8% on a total basis and 10.1% on a Like-for-like basis over the three months to June, while non-food sales rose 0.3% on a total basis and fell 0.5% on a like-for-like basis over the three-months to June.

“Retail sales growth ticked up slightly in June as hot weather prompted purchases of summer essentials. Sun-seekers headed to their favourite retailers to buy swimwear and beach towels, and outdoor games, garden furniture and barbecue food were boosted as families came together to celebrate Father’s Day," said BRC chief executive Helen Dickinson.

However, she added that people were much more cautious about big-ticket purchases like furniture and technology equipment.

“Consumer confidence remains fragile. But, with headline food inflation easing for two months in a row as prices of essentials start to fall thanks to stiff competition and consumers continuing to shift shopping patterns to mitigate as much inflation as they can, confidence could improve."