LONDON, July 25 (Xinhua) -- Britain's retail sales volumes increased by 0.9 percent in June, reversing the 2.8-percent decline in May as warm weather boosted consumption of food and travel-related goods, data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) showed Friday.
The figure rose 1.7 percent year on year, but was still down 1.6 percent compared with the pre-pandemic level recorded in February 2020, according to the ONS.
Sales volumes at food stores rose 0.7 percent in June, following a 5.4 percent drop in May. Automotive fuel sales volumes jumped 2.8 percent, marking the largest monthly growth since May 2024.
The office noted that the warm weather helped to brighten sales, with supermarket retailers reporting stronger trading and an increase in beverage purchases. It was also a good month for fuel sales, as consumers ventured out and about in the sunshine.
During the April-June period, Britain's retail sales volumes edged up by 0.2 percent compared to the first quarter of the year, the data also showed.
Kris Hamer, director of insight at the British Retail Consortium (BRC), warned, "With BRC data showing consumer confidence tumbled in July, sales performance over the rest of the summer is at risk."
Rising inflation, particularly for food, has put more pressure on personal finances, increasing the cost of living. This has raised spending expectations, particularly for groceries, as households anticipate higher prices at the till, according to the BRC.
Retailers are still grappling with additional costs stemming from last year's Budget, Hamer said. "If the Chancellor heaps further taxes on the industry at the upcoming Budget, then retailers will face little choice but to raise prices or reduce investment in shops and jobs." ■