World Cup and sunny weather lifts retail sales in June

Total sales for UK retailers grew 3.4% for the month compared to a 3.2% lift in June 2009, according to the BRC-KPMG Retail Sales monitor.

Food sales were helped particularly by the weather and the football with customers favouring ready meals and pizzas for easy entertaining during football matches. Soft drinks and beers also fared well for the month helped by widespread promotions.

Sales of clothing and footwear however slowed slightly in the month as many shoppers had already bought summer clothes in May. Outdoor DIY and leisure did well in the sun but to the detriment of indoor homewares.

Online and mail order sales grew 17.3% in June, compared to a 21.9% rise in May.

BRC director general Stephen Robertson said sales growth in June was “decent” particularly against strong comparatives a year ago.

“Barbecue products, salads and ready meals were in big demand. In non-food retailing it was a mixed picture. TVs were really the only football-related item that generated significant spending. Other items, flags and souvenirs, were high profile but relatively low value.

“Most of the time, minds were outdoors. Homewares and indoor DIY lost out. Garden goods did better. Summer clothing sold less well than the weather might suggest because many people had bought when the sun first arrived in May.”

 He added: “The budget is affecting confidence but it won’t be until the impact of the measures is actually felt that it really hits spending.”