Retail sales have risen driven by discounts and a summer of sport

The advance was felt by department stores and sports specialists, which ”reported a boost following summer discounts and sporting events”, according the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

Overall retail sales volumes were estimated to have risen by 0.5% in July, having declined in June. Volumes were also up 1.1% in the three months to July, versus the previous three-month period to April.

Year on year, volume excluding petrol rose 1.4% and by value was up 2.2% compared with last July.

The ONS said there was a “mixed picture” over the month. Non-food stores’ volumes − the total of department, clothing, household, and other non-food stores – rose by 1.4% in July following a 1.9% fall the previous month.

”Department stores and sports equipment stores grew strongly with retailers suggesting that summer discounting and sporting events, such as the European football championships, boosted sales,” said the ONS.

While department store volumes were up 4%, clothing and footwear retailers were down 0.6%, as were household goods shops. Food was flat.

The amount spent online rose by 2.5% in July 2024, which was up 3.6% year on year. Department stores were up 10.6%. Other non-food stores were ahead 1.8% while clothing and footwear edged down 0.1%. Food was up 1%.

PwC senior retail advisor Kien Tan said: “Despite perhaps a disappointing performance for parts of the retail sector in July, we do expect further recovery in the short to medium term.

“The summer weather finally reaching the country this month will be better news for grocery and fashion, and the more favourable economic backdrop of higher wages, lower inflation and lower interest rates augur well for spending more widely in the run-up to Christmas.”