UK like-for-like sales rise 1.4% in June
UK retail sales values grew by 1.4% on a like-for-like basis in June compared to the same month last year as the warmer weather boosted sales of clothing, DIY and gardening products.
Figures released by the British Retail Consortium and KPMG in their monthly sales monitor show that total sales grew by 2.9%, which was just ahead of the year-to-date average of 2.8% and better than the 12-month-average of 2.4%.
In real terms, the BRC said that growth was 2.3% over the last six months against 1.5% over the last twelve.
The best performing categories were clothing and footwear as sales benefited from the increase in temperatures and promotional activity by retailers. The warmer weather also boosted sales of DIY and gardening products.
Never Miss a Retail Update!Food sales also rose in June, despite tough comparisons with the diamond jubilee celebrations last year.
Online sales climbed 14.1% compared with June 2012. This was the best performance since July 2012, excluding Christmas.
BRC director general Helen Dickinson said: “Despite challenging economic conditions continuing, June saw another strong performance from the UK’s retailers, with very respectable overall growth across the categories. At this halfway point in the year we are able to see that sales are well ahead of the previous six month period, confirming that the retail recovery is continuing.
“With spirits and temperatures lifted following the weekend and further feel-good news expected later in the month, retailers will be hoping that July builds on this encouraging trend.”
