British retailers saw sales rise last month after a boost from Euro 2024 and summer discounting, official figures show, in a further sign of a growing economy.
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said retail sales grew 0.5% last month, after contracting 0.9% in June.
Money blog: Fines for parents taking children out of school
The increase was thanks to discounts in sports equipment shops and department stores as the Euros football tournament drove purchases, the ONS added.
High street retailers said sales of football shirts, electronics such as TVs and alcoholic drinks were all stronger during England’s journey to the Euros final.
Retail sales figures are significant as household consumption, measured by the data, is the largest expenditure across the UK economy.
The dip in June buying was attributed to election uncertainty, poor weather, and low footfall. It was less steep than first thought, however, as the 0.9% contraction was revised up from 1.2%.
Be the first to get Breaking News
Install the Sky News app for free
The latest ONS release caps off a week of announcements which illustrated an economy with lower inflation and more growth than the last two years, while wages grow faster than the overall pace of price rises.
This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly.
Please refresh the page for the fullest version.
You can receive breaking news alerts on a smartphone or tablet via the Sky News app. You can also follow @SkyNews on X or subscribe to our YouTube channel to keep up with the latest news.
