Retail sales volumes are estimated to have fallen by 1.2% in July 2023 and have been attributed to the wet weather reducing footfall, reports the Office of National Statistics (ONS).
The Met Office reported the UK had 170.0% of the average rainfall for the month, making this provisionally the wettest July since 2009 and the sixth wettest July on record since 1836.
Non-food stores sales volumes fell by 1.7% in July 2023, following a rise of 0.6% in June 2023.
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In this category, household goods stores reported a monthly fall in sales volumes of 3.8% because of a fall in furniture and lighting stores.
It has seen shoppers switching to online shopping and, with increased promotions, has seen 27.4% of retail sales take place online.
This is up from 26.0% in June 2023 and is the highest proportion since February 2022, which was reported at 28%, and above the pre-coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic levels, which stood at 19.6% in February 2020.