The continuing spell of warm weather matched with a late start to the summer sales has given retailers an expected boost in July, according to latest figures released from the Confederation of British Industries.
The monthly Distributive Trades survey showed that sales grew at the fastest rate since April 2002. Fifty four per cent of respondents said sales were up compared with the same month last year.
Sales of groceries were third on the list of biggest year-on-year increases behind footwear and leather goods. While retailers' expectations for growth over the month ahead were the highest since last December.
Doug Godden, CBI head of economic analysis, said: “Retailers have had a surprisingly good July. Warm weather and the later start to the summer sales have particularly helped sales of food and drink.”
