In June, UK retail sales increased by 1.2 per cent on a like-for-like basis from June 2016, when they had decreased 0.5 per cent from the preceding year.

On a total basis, sales rose 2.0 per cent in June, against a growth of 0.2 per cent in June 2016. This month's growth is below the 6-month and 12-month averages, both at 1.4 per cent.

Over the three months to June, food sales increased 3.6 per cent on a like-for-like basis and 4.7 per cent on a total basis. This is the strongest 3-month average since February 2012, and pulls the 12-month total average growth to 2.5 per cent, the highest since December 2013.