Retail sales for July increased year-on-year, but remained at a lower level than pre-COVID.
Monthly figures from the BRC and KPMG showed that overall retail sales were up 6.4% on the same month in 2020, while online sales slowed to a small growth of 0.6%.
For the three months to July 2021, non-food sales grew by 64.9% year-on-year, but compared with pre-pandemic period in 2019, in-store sales were down by 3.6%.
Helen Dickinson OBE, chief executive, BRC, commented: “July continued to see strong sales, although growth has started to slow. The lifting of restrictions did not bring the anticipated in-store boost, with the wet weather leaving consumers reluctant to visit shopping destinations. Online sales remained strong. However, the vacancy rate is continuing to rise. Many shops and local communities have been battered by the pandemic, with many high streets in need of further investment.”
Paul Martin, retail partner, KPMG, added: Retail sales continued to grow in July, although at a slower rate as the reopening of the hospitality and leisure sectors led to a dilution in consumer spending.
Whilst the high street saw continued growth in July, with sales up 6%, unsurprisingly online sales fell back – although less than expected – by -0.4% compared to July 2020.
