June retail sales impacted by poor summer weather
This year’s poor summer weather dampened retail sales in June as consumers held back on warm weather clothing and garden purchases.
Figures from the BRC-KPMG Retail Sales Monitor show that overall sales fell by 0.2% on the same month last year when sales grew by 4.9%.
While food sales showed modest growth of 1.1% in the three months to June, non-food sales dropped by 2.9% in the period as clothing, footwear and garden products took a hit, although electronic sales were boosted by the arrival of the Euros and summer of sport.
Helen Dickinson OBE, chief executive of the British Retail Consortium, said: “Retail sales performed poorly in June as the cooler weather during the first half of the month dulled consumer spending.
“The sales of weather sensitive categories such as clothing and footwear, and DIY and gardening were hit particularly hard, especially compared to the surge in spending during last June’s heatwave.”
Dickinson said electronics sales had a better month due to football fans upgrading their home entertainment systems and people replacing their pandemic purchases.
Linda Ellett, UK head of consumer, retail & leisure at KPMG, said: “Retailers remain hopeful that as the summer social season gets into full swing and the weather improves, sales will follow suit.
“Despite pressure on household finances easing, with petrol and energy costs and shop price inflation all continuing to fall, consumers remain incredibly reluctant to take the brakes off their spending.
“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.”
