June’s heatwave has been good news for supermarkets as food sales bounced back from a decline in May, according to the latest official data.
Retail sales volumes overall rose by 0.9% last month, following a fall of 2.8% in May, the Office for National Statistics revealed.
Food retailers reported an increase in shoppers buying drinks during the warm weather, with the sunny spell also contributing to higher fuel volumes.
Supermarket sales climbed by 0.7% in June, a big increase on the 5.4% fall registered in the prior month, while fuel sales increased 2.8% on the month, the largest monthly rise since May 2024.
The ONS said the weather helped brighten sales in June as consumers “ventured out and about in the sunshine”.
“June was a good month for much of UK retail, as the warm, sunny weather got people spending,” added Dr Kris Hamer, director of insight at the British Retail Consortium.
“Electric fans sold well last month as people scrambled to cool down their homes. Sales of food and drink also performed well, and while this was in part driven by rising inflation, the warmer weather and packed sports schedule also encouraged more social gatherings.”
However, the BRC warned its data showed consumer confidence had tumbled in July, putting the sector’s sales performance over the rest of the summer at risk.
“Retailers are currently grappling with £7bn of extra costs as a result of last year’s budget,” Hamer said. “Even this month’s sales uplift can only go so far. If the Chancellor heaps further taxes on the industry at the upcoming budget, then retailers will face little choice but to raise prices or reduce investment in shops and jobs.”
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