PwC comments on June 2026 ONS retail sales figures

Commenting on the Office of National Statistics retail sales index for June 2026, Kien Tan, Senior Retail Adviser at PwC UK, said: 

"June continued May's better-than-expected run of retail sales performance. Headline retail sales volumes excluding petrol grew by 1.1% compared with May, and by 5.4% compared with last June. Taking into account inflation, this meant that UK retailers saw 7.1% more pounds in their tills compared with last year.

"A second month in a row of heatwaves and both England and Scotland's performances in the group stages of the World Cup lifted consumer confidence, which retailers in turn took advantage of with well-timed sales and promotions to entice shoppers to spend, reflected in the dip in inflation reported earlier this week.

"This momentum benefitted the whole sector, with higher spending across every category from barbecue food and summer clothing to fans, paddling pools and other outdoor products to take advantage of the weather.

"However, the warmest June on record in England also discouraged shoppers from visiting high streets. Footfall fell through the month, and it was online retailers who benefitted most from higher sales. They were helped by the earlier timing of some global promotional events compared with last year. Overall, online retail accounted for 29.4% of total sales, the highest proportion since the end of pandemic restrictions in April 2021.

"While June's outperformance will be good news for retailers, continuing this momentum may be more difficult. Inflationary pressures on food and energy will grow in the months ahead, and the cost-of-living continues to weigh on the minds of consumers. As those prices rise, there will inevitably be less discretionary spending later in the year."

-Ends-

Notes to Editors:  
Based on the 7am edition of ONS data released on 24th July here: https://www.ons.gov.uk/businessindustryandtrade/retailindustry/bulletins/retailsales/june2026