15/07/2009 - Heatwave boost for sales results
Non-food sales saw their best result since October 2008 over the three months to June, research has revealed.
The British Retail Consortium (BRC) - KPMG Retail Sales Monitor - said the hot weather meant shoppers were flocking to the stores to by outdoor items and summer clothes.
The research showed a 1.4% rise in retail sales last month, while overall declines in non-food sales eased to 0.7% on a like-for-like basis between April and June compared to a 2.4% drop the previous quarter.
Stephen Robertson, BRC director general, said: "June's sunshine gave overall sales a much-needed boost. The heatwave helped food retailers and got customers buying outdoor goods, such as garden furniture, pools and picnicware.
"Many clothing clearance sales coincided nicely with the upsurge in demand for summer wear that came from the good weather."
But he added non-food sales remained in negative territory as shoppers held off from "big-ticket" purchases.
"Given the uncertainty about jobs, customers are still nervous about spending on more expensive, non-essentials," he said.
Food sales over the three months to June rose by 5.4% over a year ago as the sunshine saw shoppers snap up food for barbecues and picnics, the research showed.
Copyright © Press Association 2009
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