Retail / news

UK Retail Sales Surpass Forecasts in June on Clearance Deals

UK retail sales rose 4.2% year on year in June, beating expectations, with football jerseys and swim trunks among the strongest categories.

Retail sales volumes in the UK increased 4.2% in June compared with the same month last year, exceeding analyst forecasts. On a monthly basis, sales were up 1% from May, and they stood 0.9% above the pre-pandemic level of February 2020.

The strong performance was driven by clearance sales and seasonal demand, with football jerseys and swim trunks reporting particularly solid sales. The figures suggest consumer confidence remains resilient despite economic headwinds.

The Office for National Statistics reported the data, which covers the full month of June. The rise in volumes indicates that shoppers were attracted to discounts during the clearance period, especially for sportswear and summer essentials.