According to the latest figures from the British Retail Consortium (BRC) and KPMG, retail sales were up 1.9% year-on-year, matching the average for the last year, but were lower than the 3.1% increase recorded in June 2025.  

For the five weeks to 4 July 2026, non-food sales, including clothing, grew by 1.2% in June, surpassing the annual average growth rate of 0.6%. 

Sales of non-food items within physical stores also dropped by 1.1% against the same month last year.  

This comes as high street visits dropped by 6.2% in June, sharper than May’s 1.5% drop, and shopping centres experienced a 2.5% fall in footfall, according to BRC-Sensormatic data. 

In contrast, online non-food sales posted an increase of 5.1% year-on-year, considerably above the 1.5% average over the previous 12 months.  

The share of non-food purchases made online reached 39.0% in June, rising from 37.7% in June 2025 and staying above the 12-month average of 37.9%. 

BRC chief executive Helen Dickinson said: “Retail sales maintained momentum despite June’s heatwave. While in-store sales were stifled by soaring temperatures, the proportion of sales online was the highest of 2026, bolstered by well-timed promotions.  

“A heatwave doesn't just change how customers shop – it makes retail operations more challenging, from keeping shelves stocked to keeping products and people cool. These pressures come on top of rising business rates, higher employment taxes and ongoing global uncertainty, all of which are squeezing retailers' ability to invest, create jobs and keep prices down. With a new government on its way in, a more joined-up approach to policy will be essential if retail is to realise its full potential.” 

KPMG UK Consumer, Retail & Leisure head Linda Ellett added: “Record-breaking temperatures continued from May into June, with retail sales again rising. As the summer holiday season gets set to fully begin, retailers will be looking to build on the increase in clothing sales for both adults and children that was seen during June.”