Summer weather sees retail sales heat up - BRC
By Abigail Townsend
Date: Tuesday 15 Jul 2025
(Sharecast News) - Retail sales jumped in June, industry data showed on Tuesday, fuelled by demand for summer foods and electric fans as shoppers tried to beat the heat.
According to the latest data from the British Retail Consortium and KPMG, UK total retail sales rose 3.1% year-on-year last month, compared to June 2024's 0.2% slip.
Within that, food sales jumped 4.1%, while non-food sales - which fell 1.9% a year earlier - rose 2.2%.
The BRC said sales of electric fans and of sports and leisure equipment did especially well, boosted by the hot weather and start of key summer sporting events such as Wimbledon.
The hike in food sales was partially attributed to the recent rise in grocery inflation, which has been rising steadily through 2025.
Helen Dickinson, chief executive of the BRC, said: "Retail sales heated up in June, with both food and non-food performing well. The soaring temperatures increased sales of electric fans.
"Food sales remained strong, though this was in part driven by food inflation."
Looking forward and she sounded a note of caution, however: "The outlook is not all bright and sunny. Retailers are watching [the] government closely for details of the upcoming business rates reform. If it includes shops within the new higher rates threshold, many retailers will be forced to rethink investment plans."
Sarah Bradbury, chief executive of industry body IGD, commenting on the food and drink sector, said: "Escalating global tension and economic pressures left shoppers feeling uncertain in the year ahead. Notably, the number of shoppers expecting food prices to get much more expensive rose to 20% from 14%, reflecting renewed inflation concerns.
"However, the arrival of new summer ranges and improved weather presents retailers with opportunities to tap into more consumer occasions."
Linda Ellett, UK head of consumer, retail and leisure at KPMG, 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."
In-store non-food sales increased by 2.2% in June, while online non-food sales rose 2.3%.
The online penetration rate - the proportion of non-food items bough online - was 36.6%, unchanged year-on-year and marginally below the 12-month average of 36.8%.
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