Retail sales weaken in July as demand for clothing falls back

The UK’s hot weather had a big impact on declining retail sales in July, experts have said.

According to The Office for National Statistics (ONS), retail sales volumes decreased by 0.5 per cent last month.

Susannah Streeter, chief investment strategist at Wealth Club, said: “It’s clear that consumers are less confident, reining in purchases as higher bills land.

“The latest snapshot of retail sales showed, as expected, a drop in July, as the jump in the energy price cap pushed up household costs and shoppers grew weary under the intense heat.

“Trips to high streets as temperatures rocketed were a turn off, and there was even less browsing online amid the hot weather bomb as people sought to cool off in the shade.”

Several retailers started promotions and discounts early to coincide with the heatwave, meaning retail sales slipped back from a 0.7 per cent growth in June, with clothing and footwear retailers seeing their sales plummet by 2.7 per cent in July.