UK retail sales rise as online shopping booms in heatwave

(Sharecast News) - Retail sales across the UK improved year-on-year in June despite strong comparators, with a jump in online sales outweighing declines in-store as customer footfall was affected by the heatwave. Total retail sales increased at an annual rate of 1.9% over the five weeks to 4 July, according to the British Retail Consortium's monthly retail sales monitor, easing from the 3.7% growth registered in May.

However, growth came despite a 3.1% increase in sales in June 2025, matching the 12-month average increase of 1.9%.

In-store non-food sales were down 1.1% year-on-year, but online non-food sales rose 5.1%, with the online penetration rate jumping to 39.0% from 37.7% a year earlier.

"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," said Helen Dickinson, chief executive of the BRC.

"Electric fans and paddling pools performed well, as people looked to cool off, while the lure of the sunshine meant that gaming and big ticket sales struggled."

Compared with last year, food sales were up 2.8%, helped in part by the World Cup boosting grocery demand, while non-food sales rose 1.2%.