Latest figures from the Office for National Statistics show high-street spending battered by rain as question marks remain over the Olympic effect. Official retail figures released by last week confirmed that sales growth was lower in July than June, despite the opening days of the Olympic Games.

Food retailers were helped as the Olympics began and the sunshine came out ahead of the Games, but it was not enough to help the month’s overall results.

The ONS numbers show the total value of sales (not seasonally adjusted) was up 3.7 per cent on July 2011. The equivalent figure from the British Retail Consortium retail sales monitor showed total sales growth of two per cent.

BRC director general, Stephen Robertson, said: “July was no golden month for retailers despite the build-up to the Olympics. The sale of non-food goods held up better than food but both measures were weaker than in June… overall the run up to the Games did not inspire a boost to food and drink.”

He added that it will be necessary to see August’s figures for the full picture. “However, with disposable incomes still under pressure and with inflation sneaking back up, underlying conditions remain challenging for the sector,” said Robertson.

Looking at the quarter (three months to 31 July) the picture is no rosier. Robertson said: “Some of the wettest weather on record drove a sharp decline in shopper numbers over the quarter. July saw the biggest drop in overall footfall with high streets suffering the most.”

Meanwhile, the latest retail analysis from Kantar Worldpanel shows that the grocery market is recovering.

Figures for the 12 weeks ending 5 August show that the market is growing at 3.9 per cent compared to 2.1 per cent reported last month.

Asda and Sainsbury’s led the pack with growth of 6.2 and 4.6 per cent respectively.

Tesco is continuing to lose share but its rate of loss has slowed and it seems to be catching up with its rivals.

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