UK retail sales boosted by hot weather
In the past we have seen disappointing retail sales connected to good weather, bad weather, the timing of Easter and sporting events but today the 1.4% increase in retail sales during June has been linked directly to the so-called mini heatwave engulfing the UK. So will this be the good news that consumers need to get back onto the high street?
While there is no doubt that the 1.4% increase in sales during June has been well received by the sector, and could well reduce the pressure on many balance sheets in due course, there is a need to maintain the upward momentum into the future. Sales of summer clothing and barbecues in particular were very buoyant during June with hopes this will continue for the rest of the summer. While the UK government has injected billions of pounds into the UK banking sector in the hope of kick-starting the economy, how ironic that it may be the hot weather which improves consumer confidence and ultimately leads to a recovery in the economy.
However, under the surface we still have significant debt problems across the UK which need to be addressed sooner rather than later and could stifle, or at least slow down, any significant recovery in consumer spending.
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