Latest news with #MetOffice
Glasgow Times
28 minutes ago
- Business
- Glasgow Times
Heatwave helps retail sales rebound in June
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said the total volume of retail sales rose by 0.9% in June, having fallen by a downwardly revised 2.8% in May. The ONS said demand jumped for non-alcoholic and alcoholic drinks in the searing temperatures, while motor fuel sales also leapt by the biggest amount for over a year as Britons 'ventured out'. June saw the first of three heatwaves so far this summer at the start of the month, with temperatures reaching highs above 33C, before rounding off the month with another heatwave for some parts of England, reaching more than 33C again on June 30. It was the hottest June on record for England and the second warmest for the UK as a whole, according to the Met Office. But the retail sales rebound was not as pronounced as the 1.1% jump pencilled in by most economists and means that overall, retail sales volumes rose by 0.2% quarter-on quarter in the three months to the end of June. This is down from 1.3% quarterly growth at the start of the year. Hannah Finselbach, senior statistician at the ONS, said: 'Following a poor May, it was an improved month for retail sales with growth across all main sectors. 'The warm weather in June helped to brighten sales, with supermarket retailers reporting stronger trading and an increase in drink purchases. 'It was also a good month for fuel sales as consumers ventured out and about in the sunshine. 'Looking at broader trends, retail sales are up slightly across the latest quarter, but are down when compared with pre-pandemic levels.' Retail sales rose across all main sectors in June 2025. Retail sales volumes have risen 0.9% in June 2025, following a fall of 2.8% in April 2025 (revised down from a fall of 2.7%). Read more ➡️ — Office for National Statistics (ONS) (@ONS) July 25, 2025 The ONS said food stores saw sales rise 0.7% month-on-month in June, which followed a 5.4% fall in May. 'This rise was mainly because of improved sales volumes in supermarkets, with some retailer comments mentioning increased sales of drinks because of the warm weather,' the ONS said. Online retailers also saw solid trade, with sales up 1.7% last month, which is the highest since February 2022. This was largely down to sales promotions, as well as the good weather, according to the ONS. Sales at the petrol pumps also jumped, up by 2.8%, which marked the biggest rise since May 2024. The ONS said clothing sales were given a boost as shoppers snapped up summer ranges, with sales of clothing and footwear up 1% in June. Non-food shops, such as department stores, saw sales edge just 0.2% higher as trade was held back by lower demand for household goods and furnishings and as shoppers stayed away in the heat. Matt Swannell, chief economic adviser to the EY Item Club, said the sales bounce-back 'masks a challenging backdrop' in the UK economy. He said: 'Looking back over the last 12 months, the retail sector has seen a relatively modest performance, which is expected to continue through the rest of the year and into next. 'There are signs that consumers are becoming slightly more confident, but the retail sector will still have to contend with the effects of slowing wage growth, ongoing fiscal tightening, and some mortgagors still having to refinance onto higher interest rates.'
North Wales Chronicle
44 minutes ago
- Business
- North Wales Chronicle
Heatwave helps retail sales rebound in June
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said the total volume of retail sales rose by 0.9% in June, having fallen by a downwardly revised 2.8% in May. The ONS said demand jumped for non-alcoholic and alcoholic drinks in the searing temperatures, while motor fuel sales also leapt by the biggest amount for over a year as Britons 'ventured out'. June saw the first of three heatwaves so far this summer at the start of the month, with temperatures reaching highs above 33C, before rounding off the month with another heatwave for some parts of England, reaching more than 33C again on June 30. It was the hottest June on record for England and the second warmest for the UK as a whole, according to the Met Office. But the retail sales rebound was not as pronounced as the 1.1% jump pencilled in by most economists and means that overall, retail sales volumes rose by 0.2% quarter-on quarter in the three months to the end of June. This is down from 1.3% quarterly growth at the start of the year. Hannah Finselbach, senior statistician at the ONS, said: 'Following a poor May, it was an improved month for retail sales with growth across all main sectors. 'The warm weather in June helped to brighten sales, with supermarket retailers reporting stronger trading and an increase in drink purchases. 'It was also a good month for fuel sales as consumers ventured out and about in the sunshine. 'Looking at broader trends, retail sales are up slightly across the latest quarter, but are down when compared with pre-pandemic levels.' Retail sales rose across all main sectors in June 2025. Retail sales volumes have risen 0.9% in June 2025, following a fall of 2.8% in April 2025 (revised down from a fall of 2.7%). Read more ➡️ — Office for National Statistics (ONS) (@ONS) July 25, 2025 The ONS said food stores saw sales rise 0.7% month-on-month in June, which followed a 5.4% fall in May. 'This rise was mainly because of improved sales volumes in supermarkets, with some retailer comments mentioning increased sales of drinks because of the warm weather,' the ONS said. Online retailers also saw solid trade, with sales up 1.7% last month, which is the highest since February 2022. This was largely down to sales promotions, as well as the good weather, according to the ONS. Sales at the petrol pumps also jumped, up by 2.8%, which marked the biggest rise since May 2024. The ONS said clothing sales were given a boost as shoppers snapped up summer ranges, with sales of clothing and footwear up 1% in June. Non-food shops, such as department stores, saw sales edge just 0.2% higher as trade was held back by lower demand for household goods and furnishings and as shoppers stayed away in the heat. Matt Swannell, chief economic adviser to the EY Item Club, said the sales bounce-back 'masks a challenging backdrop' in the UK economy. He said: 'Looking back over the last 12 months, the retail sector has seen a relatively modest performance, which is expected to continue through the rest of the year and into next. 'There are signs that consumers are becoming slightly more confident, but the retail sector will still have to contend with the effects of slowing wage growth, ongoing fiscal tightening, and some mortgagors still having to refinance onto higher interest rates.'
Rhyl Journal
44 minutes ago
- Business
- Rhyl Journal
Heatwave helps retail sales rebound in June
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said the total volume of retail sales rose by 0.9% in June, having fallen by a downwardly revised 2.8% in May. The ONS said demand jumped for non-alcoholic and alcoholic drinks in the searing temperatures, while motor fuel sales also leapt by the biggest amount for over a year as Britons 'ventured out'. June saw the first of three heatwaves so far this summer at the start of the month, with temperatures reaching highs above 33C, before rounding off the month with another heatwave for some parts of England, reaching more than 33C again on June 30. It was the hottest June on record for England and the second warmest for the UK as a whole, according to the Met Office. But the retail sales rebound was not as pronounced as the 1.1% jump pencilled in by most economists and means that overall, retail sales volumes rose by 0.2% quarter-on quarter in the three months to the end of June. This is down from 1.3% quarterly growth at the start of the year. Hannah Finselbach, senior statistician at the ONS, said: 'Following a poor May, it was an improved month for retail sales with growth across all main sectors. 'The warm weather in June helped to brighten sales, with supermarket retailers reporting stronger trading and an increase in drink purchases. 'It was also a good month for fuel sales as consumers ventured out and about in the sunshine. 'Looking at broader trends, retail sales are up slightly across the latest quarter, but are down when compared with pre-pandemic levels.' Retail sales rose across all main sectors in June 2025. Retail sales volumes have risen 0.9% in June 2025, following a fall of 2.8% in April 2025 (revised down from a fall of 2.7%). Read more ➡️ — Office for National Statistics (ONS) (@ONS) July 25, 2025 The ONS said food stores saw sales rise 0.7% month-on-month in June, which followed a 5.4% fall in May. 'This rise was mainly because of improved sales volumes in supermarkets, with some retailer comments mentioning increased sales of drinks because of the warm weather,' the ONS said. Online retailers also saw solid trade, with sales up 1.7% last month, which is the highest since February 2022. This was largely down to sales promotions, as well as the good weather, according to the ONS. Sales at the petrol pumps also jumped, up by 2.8%, which marked the biggest rise since May 2024. The ONS said clothing sales were given a boost as shoppers snapped up summer ranges, with sales of clothing and footwear up 1% in June. Non-food shops, such as department stores, saw sales edge just 0.2% higher as trade was held back by lower demand for household goods and furnishings and as shoppers stayed away in the heat. Matt Swannell, chief economic adviser to the EY Item Club, said the sales bounce-back 'masks a challenging backdrop' in the UK economy. He said: 'Looking back over the last 12 months, the retail sector has seen a relatively modest performance, which is expected to continue through the rest of the year and into next. 'There are signs that consumers are becoming slightly more confident, but the retail sector will still have to contend with the effects of slowing wage growth, ongoing fiscal tightening, and some mortgagors still having to refinance onto higher interest rates.'
Daily Mirror
18 hours ago
- Climate
- Daily Mirror
Weather maps turn red as Brits enjoy 29C highs - see list of 32 hottest counties
The UK has enjoyed several heatwaves this year with long spells of sunshine and blue skies, and now weather maps show we are set for more scorching temperatures Brits are set for more sweltering conditions this month as weather maps again turn red and we could see highs of 29C. The UK so far has seen several heatwaves this year and the hottest day was recorded at St James's Park in London on July 1 where the mercury reached 34.7C, while parts of Essex and Kent also topped 33C. In recent weeks the weather has remained largely warm but it has also been mixed with some torrential downpours. And now maps from WXCharts show temperatures are about to surge again with most of England turning red on July 30 with highs of 29C forecast for the southeast. The maximum temperatures are forecast for London, Berkshire, Surrey and Oxfordshire, but the majority of England is also set for a beautiful day, with temperatures between 25C and 29C forecast from Plymouth up to Lincolnshire. Further north, it will reach the low 20Cs. The east coast in Norfolk and Suffolk could see highs of 27C at 6pm, Kent will be basking in 28C, Birmingham has been predicted a balmy 26C, while Leicester and Nottingham could enjoy highs of 26C and 27C. Further north and on the southwest coast, it will cool down slightly, although it will still be in the mid-20Cs in Cornwall, and in Manchester, it could reach a pleasant 22C. In the north of England, the east looks warmer than the west, meaning Liverpool could max out at around 20C. Moving inland towards Leeds, it reaches 23C, and on the east coast, Newcastle could enjoy highs of 22C. The Met Office long-range outlook between July 28 and August 6 also predicts that the highest chance of drier and sunnier weather is expected in the south and the east. It states: "A weather regime dominated by westerly winds is likely at first. This will likely bring rain and showers at times interspersed with periods of more settled weather. "The north and west will most likely be the focus of any wetter and windier weather, where there may be some prolonged spells of rain at times. The highest chance of drier and sunnier weather is expected to the east of hills, and across south and eastern areas. Later in the period if high pressure builds into the southwest settled weather may develop there too. "It will be breezy at times, especially in further north. Temperatures are most likely to be near to average or slightly above average for the time of year." Hottest counties above 25C Kent East Sussex West Sussex Hampshire Dorset Somerset Devon Cornwall Wiltshire Berkshire Surrey London Essex Norfolk Suffolk Cambridgeshire Hertfordshire Buckinghamshire Befordshire Berkshire Wiltshire Oxfordshire Gloucestershire Northampstonshire Lincolnshire Leicestershire Nottinghamshire Herefordshire Worcestershire Shropshire Staffordshire Derbyshire
Daily Mirror
19 hours ago
- Climate
- Daily Mirror
Dad spots massive tornado in sky above Yorkshire but isn't afraid for one reason
A dad says he wasn't afraid of dying when he saw a massive 'tornado' in the sky - thanks to the 1996 film Twister. Dramatic footage shows the moment the possibly tornado was spotted forming above a village in the British countryside. Bradleigh Hancock, 47, captured video of the weather phenomenon as it appeared along the A62 near Marsden, West Yorkshire, on Monday. He had been driving towards the village near Huddersfield with wife Claire and his 17-year-old daughter when she looked towards the sky and asked: 'Is that a tornado?' The shocked dad pulled over and started filming the swirling vortex of clouds as it stretched down from the sky. The plasterer said he was unfazed by the tornado and joked he "knew what to do" having watched the 1996 film Twister. Bradleigh, who has lived in Marsden for 20 years, said: 'It lasted for about two minutes and then the bottom came up and it disappeared. I thought I was still filming but I wasn't, I hadn't pressed record so I didn't get it going up in to the air. "I didn't even think about getting in the car and driving off. If it's your time, it's your time. I've seen Twister, I know what you've got to do. I haven't seen Twister 2 yet though.' According to the Met Office, the video could indeed be of a tornado, or it could be a funnel cloud. A spokesperson for the Met Office said: 'It certainly looks like it could be a tornado but without seeing it touch the ground it isn't possible to confirm it isn't a funnel cloud. It is only a tornado if it touches the ground." The Met Office say funnel clouds are cone-shaped clouds which extend from the base of a cloud without touching the surface. They form when a rotating column of wind draws in cloud droplets to make a region of intense low pressure visible. The weather agency says the UK sees around 30 to 35 tornadoes each year, but it's rare they're strong enough to cause significant damage. In a post on X, the Met Office said: 'We've seen a few videos like this over recent you think of tornadoes, you might imagine the massive twisters tearing through the central US. But did you know that the UK has one of the highest numbers of tornadoes per land area in the world?'
