Monthly retail sales rose by 0.9 per cent in June, rebounding from a 2.8 per cent decline in May, latest figures from the Office for National Statistics show.
The uplift was driven in part by improved supermarket performance, with warmer weather helping to boost footfall and fuel demand for drinks and summer essentials.
ONS states that food stores sales volumes rose by 0.7 per cent in June 2025, following a 5.4 per cent fall in May. This rise was mainly because of improved sales volumes in supermarkets, with some retailer comments mentioning increased sales of drinks because of the warm weather.
According to Jacqui Baker, head of retail at RSM UK and chair of ICAEW’s Retail Group, retail was one of the winners from June’s heatwave.
"The hot weather helped to lift the mood among consumers, while early sales tempted shoppers to the high street. Consumers purchased new outfits ahead of major sporting events in July including Wimbledon and summer headline concerts led by Beyonce and Oasis.
“Garden parties were in full swing as households stocked up on barbeque food, boosting food sales. The launch of the Nintendo Switch 2 also gave us an indicator for an uplift in electrical goods," Baker said.
“While the June figures are welcome news and consumer confidence ticked up last month, nervousness among consumers persists, and the unexpected rise in inflation won’t have helped.
"The higher price of essentials such as food and fuel will only add to the reluctance among consumers to spend as their discretionary income shrinks.
“Concerns remain in the sector, as retailers increasingly run out of headroom to mitigate rising costs. Many will be hoping the government steps in to provide meaningful reductions in business rates, as well as raising the threshold at which employers’ National Insurance becomes payable.
"It’s also hoped that the reintroduction of tax-free shopping is brought back on the table, so the sector doesn’t miss out further on valuable retail spend," Baker added.