Retail sales in Great Britain rose unexpectedly in June as heatwave conditions, online promotions and World Cup-related spending encouraged consumers to buy more. The increase matters because it suggests resilient consumer demand despite pressure from high interest rates, energy costs and potential inflation risks.

Sales volumes rose 1% from May and were 4.2% higher than a year earlier, exceeding forecasts for a monthly decline and smaller annual growth. Online sales reached their highest share since spring 2021, with non-store retailing up 4.4%; clothing sales rose 1.9%, while department stores fell 1.7% and household-goods stores declined 0.6%.