Brits shopping for clothes during sunny August boosts retailers after grim Spring
Brits shopping for clothes gave the high street a much-needed boost in August after a grim Spring.
Retail sales volumes were up 0.5 per cent last month, slightly better than analysts had anticipated.
Sunshine, the bank holiday weekend and a cut in interest rates were credited with encouraging people to spend.
However, volumes have still fallen over the past three months as consumers continue to struggle with the cost of living.
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said clothing stores, butchers and bakers, and online shopping were among the strong performers last month.
Senior Statistician Hannah Finselbach said: 'Retail sales fell slightly across the latest three months though at a slower rate of decline than seen last month.
Retail sales volumes were up 0.5 per cent last month, slightly better than analysts had anticipated
Sunshine, the bank holiday weekend and a cut in interest rates were credited with encouraging people to spend. Pictured: Falmouth on August 12
'This was mainly due to a poor period for non-food stores, such as antiques dealers and auction houses as well as tech stores, with fuel sales also falling. These were only partially offset by increases from online and clothing shops.
'Looking at the monthly picture, retail sales increased in August with feedback suggesting the good weather helped boost sales of clothing.'
Dr Kris Hamer, Director of Insight at the British Retail Consortium, said: 'August closed out a bright summer of retail sales on a high note, with volumes up for the third month in a row.
'The prolonged sunshine, bank holiday and interest rate cut all helped to boost sales, especially for clothing and books.
'People are also spending more on their homes, with furniture seeing a boost for another month following a long period of decline.
'Even if this sales growth continues, it would not be nearly enough to mitigate the mass of costs hammering the industry since last year's Budget.'
