Retail sales in the UK fell in June as cooler weather during the first half of the month deterred shoppers from buying summer clothing and gardening supplies.
Data from the BRC – KPMG Retail Sales Monitor shows total sales decreased by 0.2% year on year. This was above the three-month average decline of 1.1% but below the 12-month average growth of 1.5%.
Food sales rose 1.1% over the quarter to June, but this was below the 12-month average growth of 5.5%. However, the market enjoyed both value and volume growth last month, boosted by a brief heatwave towards the end of the period.
Meanwhile, despite a boost from consumers upgrading their home entertainment systems ahead of the Euros, non-food sales slipped 2.9% over the three months to June, steeper than the 12-month average decline of 1.9%.
Helen Dickinson, Chief Executive of the British Retail Consortium, commented: “Retailers remain hopeful that as the summer social season gets into full swing and the weather improves, sales will follow suit,” said
Linda Ellett, UK Head of Consumer, Retail & Leisure at KPMG, added: “Retailers, who are running to stand still at the moment, having exhausted all of the levers they have at their disposal to cut costs and drive sales via promotions, will be looking to the new Government to boost the economy and confidence.
“The overall economic conditions may slowly be improving, but the health of the sector remains fragile, and action is needed now to help support this vital economic contributor – particularly around neglected areas such as business rate reform.”
