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Jewellery and watch sales continued to grow in June, according to the latest Retail Sales Monitor from the British Retail Consortium (BRC) and KPMG.
The monthly research found jewellery and watches to be the third best performing sector, out of 12, as both like-for-like and total sales increased in the category. It was up from fifth in the same month last year and slightly up on its 12-month average of fourth.
Jewellery and watch sales were boosted by the run up to Eid – the religious holiday that marks the end of Ramadan – in the final week of the June period, whereas that run-up was in July last year.
The good news for jewellery retailers comes amidst a flat month for most retailers. Overall like-for-like sales – compared with June last year – fell 0.5%, while overall retail sales grew a marginal 0.2%.
On a three-month basis, total UK retail sales rose 0.5% and 1.2% on a 12-month basis. This was the lowest 12-month average since 2009.
Helen Dickinson, chief executive at the BRC, said: “Retail sales grew in June, albeit with total growth slowing to 0.2%. While sales did slow towards the end of the month, it is too early to define this as a trend.
“Britain’s retailers remain open for business. The EU referendum vote has not changed their relentless pursuit of delivering for customers day in, day out or their investment in meeting the needs of fundamental changes in the way people shop, driven by digital and technology.”
