According to the BRC-KPMG Retail Sales Monitor, like-for-like retail sales in June were down 0.8% on the same period last year.
On a total basis, sales were up 0.6%, the lowest total growth recorded since May 2011. Over the last three months, food showed almost no total growth, at 0.1%, in contrast with the growth of 1.1% experienced over the last twelve months. Non-Food reported growth in line with the twelve-month average of 3.7% over the last four months.
British Retail Consortium director general Helen Dickinson said: “Consumers continue to benefit from competitive pricing, which may be the cause of softer like-for-like sales in June.
“For retailers, it’s a bit of a mixed picture, with food sales down and non-food sales up but at a slower rate than in June.
“The total value of overall food sales is still in decline but the lower pricing policies we have witnessed are good news for consumers who are set to continue to benefit from keen bargains in their shopping baskets.
“The recovery is still on track, however, we are detecting differences in attitudes from customers, perhaps led by the competitive environment for food prices. Consumers are delighted to be saving on their food bills, but are prepared to spend a little bit more on discretionary items.”
