Sun and sport boosts sales

UK retail sales were boosted by hot weather and the World Cup in June, according to the latest British Retail Consortium figures.

Total sales increased 3.4% compared to the same month last year and like-for-like sales rose 1.2%

Non-food non-store sales, which include internet, phone and catalogue sales, increased 17.3% from the previous year, but dipped from the 21.9% increase in May 2010.

Stephen Robertson, director general of the BRC says that the figures show good sales growth as they compare with strong performance in the previous year.

In food, barbeque products, salads and ready meals were in demand but sales slowed following England’s exit form the World Cup.

In non-food, sales were mixed across the board with TVs boosted by World Cup spending and outdoor garden products buoyed by the hot weather. DIY and homewares saes suffered.

Robertson adds spending is yet to be affected by George Osborne’s budget. “The budget is affecting confidence but it won’t be until the impact of the measures is actually felt that it really hits spending,” he says.