LONDON — British shoppers spent more freely last month as unusually hot weather boosted demand for fans and summer clothing after weak sales growth in May, though part of the increase reflected higher food prices, industry data showed on Tuesday.
The British Retail Consortium – whose members are mostly larger stores – said spending was 3.1 percent higher in cash terms than a year earlier, up from a 1.0 percent annual increase in May and the second-biggest rise this year.
“The soaring temperatures increased sales of electric fans while sports and leisure equipment was boosted by both the weather and the start of Wimbledon (tennis tournament),” BRC Chief Executive Helen Dickinson said.
England experienced its hottest June since detailed records began in 1884, while average temperatures across the whole of the United Kingdom were the second-highest on record.
June’s spending growth will bring some cheer for retailers after May’s official data – which covers a broader range of stores than the BRC figures – showed the biggest monthly drop in sales volumes since December 2023.
