Heat wave and summer sales boost high street

Retail sales rose for the first time since February, according to the CBI’s latest Distributive Trades Survey revealed that July saw retail sales first rise since February.

The monthly survey of 60 retailers found year-on-year high street sales this month grew at a faster pace than expected, after a flat first half of 2013.

But overall sales volumes remained below average for the time of year and sales growth is expected to ease back slightly in August.

The CBI’s director of economics, Stephen Gifford, said: “The feel-good factor from the heat wave and early summer sales has helped boost high street sales, after a very weak start to the year.”

Gifford continued: “A positive knock-on effect on retail sales from the royal baby has been mooted, but much more realistically, continued good weather and discounts will play a greater role in retail growth over the next month.”