Retail sales in July increased by 0.5% following a summer filled with sports events and discounts.
- Department stores and sports equipment retailers saw significant sales growth due to seasonal promotions and sports enthusiasm.
- July’s retail performance marks a recovery from June’s 0.9% decline in sales figures, according to ONS data.
- Non-food store sales volumes rose by 1.4%, highlighting a shift from the previous month’s downturn.
- Online spending surged by 2.5% in July, indicating stronger digital engagement from consumers.
Retail sales saw a marginal increase of 0.5% in July, driven by a bustling summer sports scene and attractive discounts. This positive trend comes after a decrease of 0.9% in June, as reported by the Office for National Statistics (ONS). The favourable conditions of July helped retailers improve their sales figures, building on the momentum of sporting events such as the UEFA Euro 2024, which captured public interest.
Department stores and sports equipment retailers notably benefited from the uptick in consumer activity. Retailers observed that promotional events and summer discounts substantially contributed to increased footfall and spending. As shoppers took advantage of seasonal offers, these stores experienced a noticeable boost in sales performance, aligning with broader retail trends in non-food sales volumes.
There was a 1.1% increase in sales volumes for the three months leading to July, compared to the previous trimester, indicating a year-on-year growth of 0.8%. This growth underscores a resilient retail sector navigating challenges posed by the economic environment. The improvement in sales volume was partly due to the enthusiastic response to the sports season, which also stimulated related retail sectors.
Online retail experienced a robust growth of 2.5% during July, reflecting a significant shift towards digital shopping platforms. This rise indicates consumers’ growing comfort and preference for online shopping experiences, likely influenced by convenience and accessibility during the busy summer shopping period.
Kris Hamer, Director of Insight at the British Retail Consortium, mentioned, ‘retailers welcomed the warmer July weather which gave sales growth a boost, particularly in areas such as cosmetics, clothing, footwear, and books as consumers prepared for their summer holidays.’ Additionally, Hamer noted that while the high cost of living persists, easing interest rates could potentially fortify consumer confidence and spending going forward.
In summary, the summer sports season significantly boosted July retail sales, marking a recovery from the downturn in June.
