Warm August weather gives clothing retail sales a boost

UK RETAILERS enjoyed an uplift in sales in August as warm weather boosted clothing sales and drew shoppers into bakeries, new data shows.

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‘The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said the total volume of retail sales is estimated to have risen by 0.5% in August.

‘This is slightly higher than the 0.4% increase that some analysts had been expecting, and unchanged from the revised 0.5% jump in July.

Clothing and footwear sales rose by 1.3% in August, with many retailers saying good weather had drawn in more shoppers.

Secondhand retailers like auction houses and antiques dealers enjoyed an increase in spending during the month.

Specialist food stores like butchers and bakers recovered from weaker sales in July with reports of more visitors to shops, the ONS found.