UK total retail sales grew 1.9 per cent year on year in June, matching the 12-month average but slowing from June 2025.
Online non-food sales rose 5.1 per cent, lifting online penetration to 39.0 per cent as heat shifted demand away from stores.
Retailers saw stronger clothing sales in June, relevant for apparel sourcing and stock planning teams.
Covering the five weeks from May 31 to July 4, 2026, the British Retail Consortium (BRC) said UK total retail sales increased by 1.9 per cent year on year in June, compared with growth of 3.1 per cent in June 2025, and were flat against the 12-month average growth of 1.9 per cent. Non-food sales rose 1.2 per cent year on year, compared with 2.2 per cent a year earlier, while in-store non-food sales fell 1.1 per cent and online non-food sales rose 5.1 per cent.
BRC said the online penetration rate, or the proportion of non-food items bought online, increased to 39.0 per cent in June from 37.7 per cent in June 2025, above the 12-month average of 37.9 per cent.
Helen Dickinson, chief executive at the BRC said, “Retail sales maintained momentum despite June’s heatwave. While in-store sales were stifled by soaring temperatures, the proportion of sales online was the highest of 2026, bolstered by well-timed promotions.”
Linda Ellett, UK head of consumer, retail and leisure, KPMG said, “Record-breaking temperatures continued from May into June, with retail sales again rising. As summer holiday season gets set to fully begin, retailers will be looking to build on the increase in clothing sales for both adults and children that was seen during June.”
Fibre2Fashion News Desk
