UK retail sales dampened by wet weather

Down 1.2%

UK retail sales declined by 1.2% in July, with the poor weather contributing to the drop, according to the Office for National Statistics.

This followed a 0.6% increase in June, revised from 0.7% rise previously. It was the wettest July since 2009 and the sixth heaviest rainfall for the month on record, as the UK missed out on the widespread heat wave hitting the rest of Europe. Core inflation remains 'stubborn' despite falling headline figure The rainy weather was linked to a dip in clothing sales as footfall was reduced, while the ongoing cost-of-living crisis and rising food prices also acted as a headwind, the ONS figures showed. Non-food sales were down 1.7% and food store sales volumes decreased by 2.6%. C...