UK retail sales saw mixed returns during July, which analysts say reflects a downturn in consumer confidence.
Year on year, the volume of retail sales in July was 1.3% higher than in July 2009 in the UK, according to the Office for National Statistics.
Predominantly non-food stores increased by 4.1%. Within predominantly non-food stores there were rises across all sectors, the largest being non-specialised stores at 9.7%.
Sales volume in the three months May to July increased by 1.7%, compared to the previous three months, and were 1.3% higher than the same period a year ago.
Richard Lowe, head of retail and wholesale at Barclays Corporate said: “Despite a strong month for sales volumes, retail sales remain broadly unchanged compared to the end of last year. Consumer confidence has weakened in recent months and this dip in confidence continues to weigh on High Street sales figures.”
Earlier in the month clothing retailer Next said in a trading statement that same-store sales fell 1.5% in the first-half, and warned of increased selling prices and cooling demand ahead.
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By GlobalData“I can’t remember a summer when retailers have been so quiet. They are usually out commenting on sales of seasonal favourites such as ice-cream and barbeque weekends but this just hasn’t been happening,” Lowe added.
