The latest figures were released by the British Retail Consortium (BRC)-KPMG Retail Sales Monitor and showed non-food sales saw a 2.2% year-on-year rise, compared to a 1.9% decrease during the same period last year.
In the five weeks to 5 July, in-store non-food sales experienced a similar 2.2% year-on-year growth, compared to the 2.6% drop observed in June 2024.
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Online non-food sales also witnessed a 2.3% increase from last year, recovering from a 0.7% fall in June 2024.
British Retail Consortium chief executive Helen Dickinson said: “Retail sales heated up in June, with both food and non-food performing well. The soaring temperatures increased sales of electric fans while sports and leisure equipment was boosted by both the weather and the start of Wimbledon. Food sales remained strong, though this was in-part driven by food inflation, which has risen steadily over the course of the year.”
The proportion of non-food items purchased online remained steady at 36.6% for June, falling marginally below the 12-month average of 36.8%.
KPMG UK consumer, retail & leisure head Linda Ellett said: “Warm weather and the start of the holiday season led to modest monthly growth for clothing sales. But retailers will be hoping that the buying is not yet complete and that the pace picks up further in July and August as suitcases get packed and the sun hopefully keeps shining.”
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By GlobalDataShe added: “Home appliances and homeware purchases helped retail sales to grow in June, as new homebuyers and those having a refresh in their current home took advantage of summer promotions both in-store and online.”
Overall, UK retail sales went up by 3.1% year-on-year in June, marking a recovery from last year’s 0.2% decline during the same month.
Under the online sales category growth rankings, house textiles, health and beauty, and other non-food categories showed growth in June while clothing and footwear were down.
Dickinson pointed out the outlook is not all bright and sunny. She said: “Retailers are watching government closely for details of the upcoming business rates reform. If the government includes shops within its new higher rates threshold, then many retailers will be forced to rethink their investment plans. The closure of larger stores would harm the local communities they support, costing jobs and reducing footfall in the area they serve. If government wants to improve high streets and help local communities, they must ensure that no shop pays more under their new rates reforms.”
