Total retail sales across the UK were down by 0.2% on last June, with sales of products other than food down 2.9% year on year, according to the BRC (British Retail Consortium)-KPMG Retail Sales Monitor.
Sales of weather-sensitive categories such as clothing and footwear, as well as DIY and gardening, were hit particularly hard, especially compared with the surge in spending during last June’s heatwave. Electronics sales had a better month as football fans cheering on their national teams upgraded their home entertainment systems and people replaced their pandemic purchases. Food sales were disappointing, up just 1.
1% on last June and well below the 12-month average of 5.5%. Linda Ellett, UK head of consumer retail and leisure at KPMG, said: “Summer may finally have arrived, but it did little to persuade consumers to hit the shops, with retail sales flatlining at 0.
2% in June. “Despite pressure on household finances easing, with petrol and energy costs and shop price inflation all continuing to fall, consumers remain incredibly reluctant to take the brakes off their spending. “The stimulus of good weather, Wimbledon and Euro 24, which was hoped would drive consumer spending, has so far failed to materialise and financial concerns remain with many households.
“Retailers, who are running to stand still at the moment, having exhausted all of the levers they have at their disposal to cut costs and drive sales via promotions, will be looking to the new Government to boos.