UK Retail Sales Fall in June, Says British Retail Consortium

London, Retail sales declined in June in the United Kingdom (UK) as the cold weather in the first half of the year weighed on consumer spending, the British Retail Consortium (BRC) said today. Total retail sales fell 0.2% in June from the previous year (2023). BRC Chief Executive Helen Dickinson said the sales of weather sensitive categories such as clothing and footwear, and DIY and gardening were hit particularly hard. Electronics sales increased as football fans upgraded their home entertainment systems. Summer may finally have arrived, but it did little to persuade consumers to hit the shops, said KPMG Head of Consumer, Retail and Leisure Linda Ellett. Despite the warmer weather and the football providing opportunities for people to gather at home, food and drink sales were disappointing in June, said Ellett. "The stimulus of good weather, Wimbledon and Euro 2024, which was hoped would drive consumer spending, has so far failed to materialise and financial concerns remain with many households," Elle tt added. Sarah Bradbury, the chief executive of the data provider IGD said the election campaign has not impacted shopper confidence in June. But it might see a boost following the election. Source: Oman News Agency