UK retail like-for-like sales jumped 2.2% in July, according to the BRC-KPMG Retail Sales Monitor. Retail Week finds out how each of the individual categories performed.

  • Food sales had their best July performance in five years. The hot weather led to a rise in sales of salads and dressings, summer fruits and ice-cream while red meat and burgers, bread rolls and baps flew off the shelf as people fired up the barbecue. Celebrations around sporting events, including Andy Murray’s Wimbledon triumph and Chris Froome’s Tour de France win, also resulted in an uplift in Champagne and beers.
  • Clothing was the top performing non-food category, with swimwear, dresses and blouses all in high demand. Womenswear was the strongest segment, closely followed by menswear, with casual jerseys and shorts proving popular, while childrenswear was disappointing.
  • In the footwear category, sandals sold well in July, with some retailers experiencing their best sales in five years. However, demand for back-to-school children’s shoes increased as soon as the weather cooled down.
  • Health and beauty was the second best performing non-food category in July with sun cream and sun care driving the sales uplift. Hay-fever medicines, foot care and plasters also drove growth.
  • With consumers basking outside in the sun, furniture and flooring recorded its worst decline since last August, Christmas excluded. Home accessories also suffered a drop for the second month in a row, and house textiles posted a very poor month in July.
  • Demand for outdoor items was high, with outdoor toys and furniture experiencing a particularly good month. The heatwave sparked demand for fans and sprinklers, as well as gardening items in general and even outdoor paint.
  • In the electrical and electronic segment tablets appeared to have reached a plateau in terms of growth, while gaming also put in a poor performance as people enjoyed outdoor activities. Fridges and freezers did well in the hot weather and sales of air conditioning systems also spiked.