Summer spending up

DISCOUNTS and summer sunshine kept shoppers spending last month despite fears of a post-referendum slowdown, a report said. The latest British Retail Consortium-KPMG survey showed total retail sales were up 1.9% in July compared with a year ago, while likefor-like sales rose 1.1% over the period. Retailers bucked expectations and boosted sales thanks to a “heavy month of promotions”, while warmer weather in July saw shoppers fork out on picnics and barbecues, helping food sales rise 0.8% between May and July.

The sales jump came in the face of reports that retailers could be in line for a slump as consumer activity slowed in the wake of the Brexit vote.