Retail sales volumes climbed 0.6% month on month in July 2025, as the UK’s fifth-warmest July on record helped power a boost in shoe and clothing purchases.
Following June’s 0.3% gain in volumes, July’s larger gain also benefited from a 2.5% boost to non-store retailers, predominantly from a splurge in online shopping that retailers also put down to the weather.
However, food stores suffered a 0.2% fall in volumes – though not as badly as department stores, which took a 1.5% slump.
Year on year, sales were up 2.7% by value, powered by a 1.3% volume gain. July’s volumes remained 2.2% down on pre-pandemic levels.
“July was a good month for retail sales, as the warm, sunny weather and packed sporting schedule in the first half of the month got people spending, especially for alcoholic beverages as people came together,” said BRC director of insight Kris Hamer.
“Fashion also sold well as people made purchases for their summer holidays, and furniture sales were up after being in decline in previous years.”
Summer toys boomed over the month, according to Shopify data, with pop-up-tents registering a 169.1% jump in sales, footballs up 94.5%, and pool toys up 65.9% compared to June.
Oasis’ reunion tour might even have prompted a spike in bucket hats and parkas (17.2% and 16.1% respectively), according to Shopify EMEA MD Deann Evans.
“Despite July seeing summer holidays in full swing, ‘back to school’ is already on the radar of parents in the UK. Compared to June, sales of school uniforms rose by almost 500% last month, as well as lunch bags by 55%,” he said.
“Consumers are evidently keen to prepare early and take advantage of early sales. This is perhaps unsurprising given our 2024 UK State of Commerce report found two-thirds (65%) of UK consumers shop during sales specifically to save money.”
Despite the encouraging volume growth, the BRC warned any takings would “make little dent” in costs laid on retailers after last year’s budget.
“With a date now sent for the next budget, government must ensure no additional tax is levied onto retailers, or else many will be forced to make difficult decisions around raising prices, store closures, and jobs,” said Hamer.
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