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The retail sales data suggests that previous resilience among British consumers in the face of war and rising energy prices may be dropping off slightly, experts said.
Even with the World Cup boosting the early part of the month, some have suggested that the hot weather may have (understandably) deterred shoppers from venturing outside, despite earlier reports to the contrary…
After an extended spell of warm weather across large parts of the UK, many households will already have bought what they need for the season, while lines of popular summer products come to an end.
The boost from the World Cup that came to an end in the first half of July also meant fewer opportunities to capitalise on the warmer conditions.
The 0.5% fall in U.K. retail sales in July suggests the resilience of consumer spending over the first half of the year is fading. The weakness may partly reflect a temporary drag from the exceptionally hot weather, which the ONS notes reduced footfall in many stores.
But alongside the continued boost from the World Cup, warm temperatures are also reported to have helped sales in other retailers, notably supermarkets.
Retail sales increased in the latest three months, with all main sectors, apart from motor fuel, seeing growth.
Some retailers told us that hot weather and promotions helped sales of outdoor products and items such as fans, with clothing and online sports merchandise also doing well.
7am BST: ONS retail sales data
7am BST: ONS public finances
9am BST: Flash PMI eurozone
9.30am BST: UK flash PMI
2.45pm BST: US flash PMI
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