June sees modest rise in retail sales
UK retail sales saw a modest rise in June as early summer sales encouraged shoppers to spend more on the high street.
Figures released by the Office for National Statistics showed like-for-like sales excluding petrol were 0.8% higher than in May. This compares with June 2010, when sales were up 0.2%.
The ONS said the increase was largely due to strong sales at household goods stores, where sales were up 2.6% as a result of big discounting by furniture stores. Clothing sales rose by 0.6% on a monthly basis but food sales fell 0.2%.
British Retail Consortium Director General, Stephen Robertson, said: “These figures are better but still not great. After a volatile start to 2011 our own results showed signs of improvement for June, although the growth was very slight. This is in line with the Government’s official figures.
“There are worrying signs that the food sector, so far the most resilient part of retail, has slowed a little. However early summer sales seem to have provided a badly needed boost for household goods, clothing and footwear. This is yet more evidence of the levels of discounting retailers are having to offer to tempt reluctant shoppers through their doors at a time of low consumer confidence and shrinking disposable income.
“Retailers are not out of the woods yet and more difficult months lie ahead. Spending on sale items brought forward to June is likely to leave a hole in July’s figures, which may also be dampened by the unseasonably wet weather.”
