Latest news with #ONS
Glasgow Times
14 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
30 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
30 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.'
Western Telegraph
an hour ago
- Business
- Western Telegraph
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. 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 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.' 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.'
Reuters
2 hours ago
- Business
- Reuters
UK sunshine warmed up retail sales in June, ONS says
LONDON, July 25 (Reuters) - British consumers shopped more in June after a sharp drop in May as hot weather helped to boost the sales of drinks, clothes and car fuel, official figures showed on Friday. Retail sales volumes rose by a month-on-month 0.9%, a partial rebound from May's 2.8% plunge which was the biggest fall since December 2023. However, the increase was smaller than the median forecast of 1.2% in a Reuters poll of economists. Many British households are feeling the squeeze again from an inflation rate that rose to 3.6% in June with food prices rising faster. A survey published earlier on Friday showed consumer confidence dipped this month ahead of possible tax increases later this year and households added to their savings. In the three months to June, sales volumes rose by 0.2%, the weakest such increase since the three months to February, the Office for National Statistics said. ONS senior statistician Hannah Finselbach said the warm weather last month helped supermarket retailers who reported an increase in drink purchases and fuel sales rose. "Looking at broader trends, retail sales are up slightly across the latest quarter but are down when compared with pre-pandemic levels," Finselbach said. British retailers have highlighted the impact of the country's weather on their sales recently. Supermarket group Sainsbury's (SBRY.L), opens new tab reported better-than-expected quarterly trading with food and clothing boosted by warm temperatures. But fast food retailer Greggs (GRG.L), opens new tab warned on profit complaining that June's heatwave hit overall footfall. Sterling was little changed against the U.S. dollar immediately after the data was published. Britain's economy has stumbled after a strong start to 2025 with overall output contracting in April and May. The Bank of England is expected to cut interest rates by a quarter of a percentage point on August 7 as it responds to a jobs market slowdown. However, inflation pressures have thwarted bets on faster cuts to borrowing costs in the coming months.
