June’s retail growth matched the annual average but fell short of last year’s 3.1% rise as in-store visits declined sharply.
UK retail sales increased 1.9% year-on-year in June, aligning with the 12-month average but lagging the 3.1% growth seen in June 2025. Non-food sales grew 1.2%, outpacing the annual average of 0.6%, though in-store non-food sales dropped 1.1% from a year earlier.
Footfall plunged 6.2% in June, accelerating from May’s 1.5% decline, while shopping centres saw a 2.5% drop. Online non-food sales surged 5.1%, well above the 1.5% 12-month average, pushing the online share of non-food purchases to 39.0%.
Retailers faced operational challenges from the heatwave, including supply chain disruptions and higher costs, compounded by rising business rates and employment taxes.