Retail sales rose a surprising amount in July, as good weather and the Women’s Euros led people to part with their cash, official figures show.
The amount of spending rose 0.6% in July, according to figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), far above the 0.2% rise anticipated by economists polled by Reuters.
In particular, clothing and footwear stores, as well as online shopping, experienced strong growth.
When looked at on a three-month basis, the numbers are weaker, with a 0.6% fall in sales up to July due in part to downward revisions in June.
Spending has declined since March, when supermarkets, sports shops, and household goods saw strong sales at the beginning of the year.
Fans gather during a Homecoming Victory Parade in London after England’s win in the final of the Women’s Euros. Pic: PA
Retail sales figures are significant as they measure household consumption, the largest expenditure in the UK economy.
Growing retail sales can mean economic growth, which the government has repeatedly said is its top priority.
These figures were originally due to be published in August but were delayed by two weeks so the statistics body could carry out “quality assurance” checks.
Following the checks, the ONS found a “problem”, which meant it had to correct seasonally adjusted figures.
As a result of the error, previously monthly figures overstated the monthly volatility in the first five months of 2025, the ONS’s director general of economic statistics, James Benford, said.
Mr Benford apologised for the release delay and for the errors.
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