Overview

• Retail sales volumes rose by 0.9% in June after a 2.8% slump in May, though overall trade remains below pre-pandemic levels.
• Hot weather and a packed summer events calendar drove a 0.7% increase in food store sales and lifted drink purchases.
• Motor fuel volumes jumped 2.8%, marking the biggest monthly gain since May 2024 as drivers took advantage of fine weather.
• Non-store (online) retailers saw a 1.7% rise in sales volumes, the strongest monthly growth since February 2022, aided by promotions.
• Quarter-on-quarter retail growth slowed to 0.2% in Q2, underscoring an uneven recovery against weakening consumer sentiment.