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UK retail sales recorded their strongest growth in 18 months as sales increased 1.8% on a like-for-like basis from June 2014, when they had decreased 0.8% on the preceding year.
This is according to the British Retail Consortium (BRC) and KPMG Retail Sales Monitor which found that, on a total basis, sales were up 2.9%, against a 0.9% rise in June 2014.
The report said that this was the strongest growth since January 2014, and ahead of the 12-month average of 1.6%.
Total non-food sales grew 2.6% over the three months to June, although this was behind the 12-month average growth of 3.1%.
Meanwhile, online sales of non-food products in the UK grew 17.6% in June when compared with a year earlier, when they had grown 10.6%. The non-food online penetration rate was 18.4%, up from 16.9% in June last year.
Helen Dickinson, director general at the BRC, highlighted the measures outlined by George Osborne in last week’s Budget, citing the continued freeze in fuel duty and the increased personal tax allowance as measures that are likely to help boost consumer confidence.
She said: “We also welcome the Chancellor’s focus on increasing productivity. This is of crucial importance to enhancing retailers’ ability to continue to serve their customers better.”
