Retail sales rise in June as warm weather loosens the purse strings

The Retail Sales Index (RSI) conducted by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) reported a +0.6% rise in retail sales for Quarter 2 (April to June) compared with the previous quarter.

Specifically in June, retail sales volumes are estimated to have risen by +1.0%, following a rise of +1.2% in May 2026 and a fall of -0.7% in April 2026. The June rise was up +4.2% compared with June 2025.

The amount spent online — known as “online spending values” — rose by +3.8% in Quarter 2 compared with Quarter 1. This is a rise of +11.7% year-on-year.

Within the monthly series, online sales values rose by 2.8% over the month to June 2026, an increase of 14.4% compared with June 2025.

The total spend (the sum of in-store and online sales) rose by 0.8% over the month. As a result, the proportion of online sales rose from 28.9% in May 2026 to 29.4% in June 2026, the highest proportion since April 2021.

The (RSI) survey in June 2026 accounted for 88.7% of total turnover coverage of the sample population.

“Retail sales in June had a strong month overall as widespread summer discounting was rolled out,” said Harvir Dhillon, lead economist at the British Retail Consortium, in response to the survey’s results. “The share of internet sales rose to its highest since April 2021 at 29.4%,” he continued.

“While retailers have been enjoying the boost to sales, there are challenges ahead, particularly as hostilities in the Middle East resume. Household budgets remain under pressure, consumer confidence is fragile, and retailers are facing rising operating costs. To support growth and keep inflation under control, Government should address the taxes and levies that increase businesses’ energy bills. Otherwise, rising costs will continue to constrain investment and make it harder for retailers to keep prices low for customers in the future.”