Retail sales boosted by England’s hottest June on record
Retail sales volumes rose by 0.9% June following a fall of 2.8% in May, with retailers reporting that the warm weather had a positive effect on food store sales.
This is according to the latest data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), which noted that compared to the first quarter of the year, overall sales volumes rose by 0.2%.
Food stores sales volumes saw a 0.7% rise in June following a 5.4% fall the month before. This rise was mainly attributed to improved sales volumes in supermarkets, with more people buying drinks due to the record-breaking warm weather.
According to the Met Office, June 2025 was provisionally the warmest June ever recorded in England and the second-warmest for the UK as a whole, with temperatures reaching or exceeding 30°C on several occasions.
Retailers surveyed said the good weather also drove increases in sales volumes for automotive fuel, which increased by 2.8%, and a 1.7% rise in non-store retailer’s sales volumes, which mainly comprises online retailers.
The amount spent online continues to rise, increasing by 2.3% over the month to June 2025 and by 4.5% when comparing June 2025 with June 2024.
Non-store retailer’s sales volumes, which mainly includes online retailers, rose by 1.7% in June 2025, putting sales volumes at their highest level since February 2022. Retailers suggested that promotions and the good weather contributed.
