Hot weather cools down UK retail sales, BRC says

UK retail sales growth slowed in July as prolonged hot weather kept shoppers away from physical stores and weakened demand for non-food products, the British Retail Consortium says.

According to the latest BRC and KPMG retail sales monitor, total retail sales increased by 1.3 percent year on year during the four weeks from 5 July to 1 August, but it was still below the 2.5 percent growth recorded in July 2025 and the 12-month average of 1.8 percent.

Food sales were the strongest performer, rising by 3.8 percent year on year. The increase was supported by warm weather, home entertaining and the final week of the World Cup, which encouraged consumers to spend on food and drinks.

Non-food sales, however, fell by 0.7 percent compared with the same period last year. In-store non-food sales declined by 1.9 percent as high temperatures discouraged shoppers from visiting retail locations. Online non-food sales rose by 1.3 percent, while the proportion of non-food purchases made online increased to 35.9 percent from 35.4 percent in July 2025.

“July saw modest sales growth, with food sales boosted by the final week of the World Cup,” said Helen Dickinson, chief executive of the British Retail Consortium. “Non-food sales were hit by the decline in footfall as shoppers avoided the heat,” she added. “Clothing was a bright spot, driven by demand for affordable summer essentials, while footwear struggled to keep up.”

Demand remained focused on seasonal, affordable products, while shoppers showed greater caution over more expensive purchases. According to Linda Ellett, UK head of consumer, retail and leisure at KPMG, despite summer season getting started as early as May, the upturn for clothes, shoes and accessories has continued right through to August.

“Shoppers also prioritised smaller indulgences such as beauty products and fashion jewellery, while delaying bigger-ticket purchases including furniture and computing,” Dickinson said. “Consumer demand has struggled in the heat, leaving retailers facing a challenging start to the second half of the year,” Dickinson said.