Up-to-date coverage of the latest events in UK retail.

Heat wave brings no respite for high street

Record temperatures in July bought no relief to the UK high street, as shoppers turned to online shopping instead. 

In-store sales were flat on a like-for-like basis compared to the same month a year ago, but ecommerce jumped 20.5% – their biggest growth in 18 months – according to figures from the latest BDO high street sales tracker. 

Sophie Michael, head of retail and wholesale at BDO, said: “Discounting has been relentless this summer. July’s flat sales figures will not only be disappointing for retailers but will also add further pressure to margins that are already being squeezed to the extreme.

“It is crucial the new prime minister delivers on his pledge to implement measures that will help save the high street and provide some much-needed reassurance to retailers and the hundreds of thousands of people they employ.”