Shop sales boom after Covid restrictions ease
Shop sales have surged by record levels over the past three months as shoppers flocked back to stores following the easing of lockdown restrictions, according to new figures.
The latest BRC-KPMG retail sales monitor showed the three months to June saw a big rebound in like-forlike for sales after stores reopened – and people continued to spend more online.
Total sales increased 10.4% over the period, with a 13.1% lift in June.
Helen Dickinson, chief executive of the British Retail Consortium, said: "The second quarter of 2021 saw exceptional growth as the gradual unlocking of the economy encouraged a release of pent-up demand built up over previous lockdowns.
"While growth in food sales begun to slow in June, non-food sales were bolstered by growing consumer confidence.
"With many people taking staycations, or cheaper UKbased holidays, many have found they have a little extra to spend at the shops, with strong growth in-store in June."
Ms Dickinson added that fashion and footwear sales were strong in the first half of the month with football fever helping to spark strong TV sales later in June.
Non-food stores, such as fashion and homeware retail, saw like-for-like sales jump by 47% for the past quarter as they were buoyed by the strong re opening. Meanwhile, food sales were also up 7.9% for the threemonth period.
Paul Martin, UK head of retail at KPMG, said: "Retailers are facing challenges on a number of fronts, particularly convincing consumers that it' s safe to shop in store as restrictions around mask wearing and social distancing end.”