High Street bounces back despite cost of living as sales boom amid summer heat

21 July 2023 , 18:29

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Summer sales are seeing a boom (Image: Getty Images)

The hottest June on record fired up high street sales, figures have confirmed.

The Office for National Statistics estimated the amount of goods bought from retailers in June was up by 0.7% on May – better than the 0.2% expected.

Despite the fine weather, sales of clothes and at garden centres actually fell last month.

Jacqui Baker, head of retail at consulting firm RSM UK, said: “The hottest June on record prompted consumers to hit the high street to make the most of the good weather and spend.

“This saw an increase in household goods as consumers stocked up on garden furniture and barbecues, boosting food sales. With retailers sitting on high levels of stock after a tough few months, many have started their summer sale early this season.”

Shop prices 'are yet to peak and will remain high' as inflation hits new heights

High Street shoppers (In Pictures via Getty Images)

Price rises meant that retail sales by value increased 1.7% in the three months to June, the ONS reported, and 4.3% year-on-year. May’s takings were dented by three bank holidays.

June’s better-than-forecast sales come despite the ongoing cost of living crisis and higher mortgage bills for millions of households.

Helen Dickinson, chief executive of trade body the British Retail Consortium, said: “Consumer confidence remains fragile, and with households feeling the pinch from high inflation and rising interest rates, they held back on making big-ticket purchases, especially in areas such as electricals.”

But she added: “Retailers are hopeful that consumer confidence will improve over the coming months.”

Online retailers suffered a 0.5% drop in sales by value in June, said the ONS, with clothing firms seeing the biggest drop.

Graham Hiscott