ONS retail figures confirm BRC data
Reacting to the official retail sales figures released by the ONS , the British Retail Consortium said they confirm the BRC’s results, published last week, showing sunshine and clearance sales boosted June’s spending.
Stephen Robertson, BRC Director General, said: “The official data confirm our findings that June’s retail sales were boosted by sunshine, promotions and discounts. But the wholesale turnaround in consumer confidence retailers are looking for remains elusive.
“The BRC’s Retail Sales Monitor showed the heatwave helped food retailers. It also boosted clothing and footwear sales, which further benefited from early clearance sales coinciding with good weather. Outdoor goods, such as garden furniture, pools and picnicware, were also helped by the sunshine.
“But fundamentally it’s still a picture of needs versus not-nows, with food retailers proving resilient while much of non-food retailing struggles.
“Given uncertainty about jobs is sure to go on rising well into next year, even the sunny weather can’t provide enough of a feel good factor to ease customers’ nervousness about spending on big-ticket items.
“Lower mortgage costs and energy prices are leaving a lot of people better off than a year ago. But many still favour saving over spending.”
