UK retail sales fall as expected in July
By Michele Maatouk
Date: Friday 21 Aug 2026
(Sharecast News) - UK retail sales fell as expected in July, having been boosted a month earlier by hot weather and promotions, according to figures released on Friday by the Office for National Statistics.
Retail sales declined by 0.5% in July following a revised 0.7% rise in June. The ONS had previously estimated that sales rose 1% in June. The ONS said clothing retailers reported earlier promotions bringing sales forward from July into June, as well as hot weather reducing footfall in July.
On the year, retail sales grew 1.6% in July following 3.8% growth in June.
ONS chief economist Grant Fitzner said: "Retail sales increased in the latest three months, with all main sectors, apart from motor fuel, seeing growth.
"Some retailers told us that hot weather and promotions helped sales of outdoor products and items such as fans, with clothing and online sports merchandise also doing well."
Jacqueline Windsor, head of Retail at PwC UK, said: "While successive heatwaves and World Cup celebrations earlier in the month helped grocery sales - of everything from beer to picky bits - the earlier timing of discounting and promotions meant that some large online and fashion retailers in particular pulled forward sales into June that would previously have been in July.
"Higher inflation, notably the higher energy price cap and higher petrol prices later in the month, also meant less money in shoppers' pockets for discretionary spending outside of grocery and fuel."
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