Report Summary

Period covered: 31 May – 04 July 2026

3 minute read

Note: This report summary is one or two months behind the current month as standard reporting practice. The content is indicative only and incomplete with certain data undisclosed. Become a member to access this data or take out a free 30-day membership trial now.

Retail Sales Performance:

June 2026 UK retail sales remained resilient, supported by exceptionally warm weather and the start of the World Cup.

Growth increased xx% year-on-year according to the Retail Economics Retail Sales Index, moderating from May’s xx% increase but making a second consecutive month of solid growth.

Spending was strong in clothing and health & beauty, with big ticket purchases experiencing slower growth.

Factors impacting the headline performance in the month include:

Heat wave: June was the UK’s second warmest June on record, while England recorded its warmest. The exceptional late-month heatwave provided a significant seasonal spending trigger, supporting demand for summer clothing, cooling products, gardening ranges and other warm-weather essentials. However, extreme temperatures also discouraged visits to physical retail destinations.

World Cup: The tournament provided another important spending occasion, supporting demand around food and drink, pubs and digital activity. Combined with the warm weather, the tournament encouraged more event led and immediate-need spending, although the benefit was uneven across categories.

Online: Digital channels benefited as consumers avoided stores during periods of extreme heat. Online sales increased xx% YoY, while total footfall fell xx% YoY and high street footfall declined xx%.

Underlying uncertainty: Despite another month of growth, spending remained cautious. Consumer confidence was unchanged at -xx and the Major Purchase Index remained at -xx, suggesting households continued to prioritise value, seasonal needs and lower commitment purchases over larger discretionary spending.

Category impact

Food and grocery sales rose xx% in June. Exceptional heat and the World Cup supported occasion led demand, while easing grocery inflation provided some relief to household budgets.

Health & beauty remained the strongest-performing category, rising xx% YoY, supported by seasonal products, affordable indulgences and lower value discretionary purchases.

Clothing sales increased xx% YoY, with exceptional temperatures supporting demand for summer wardrobes. Footwear grew more modestly at xx%, highlighting continued variation within the sector.

Electricals increased xx% YoY, supported by demand for cooling products and World Cup related purchases, although continued caution around larger commitments constrained broader big-ticket spending.

Homewares grew xx% and furniture & flooring rose xx%, remaining among the weaker categories as subdued major purchase intentions and softer housing activity weighed on demand.

DIY & gardening increased xx% YoY, with the warm weather supporting garden-related and seasonal purchases, but larger home improvement projects remained more cautious.

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Confidence edges up in June