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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Business
Mark Sweney

Record heat sends online retail sales to five-year high in Great Britain

Great Britain World Cup Office for National Statistics
Two women use fans to cool themselves from hot weather in England
The heatwave conditions resulted in year-on-year retail sales climbing 4.2% in June. Photograph: Andy Rain/EPA

Online sales reached their highest share of retail spending in five years last month as record heat fuelled demand for air conditioners, outdoor products and clothing.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said the volume of retail sales in Great Britain rose 1% month on month in June, beating analysts’ expectations of a 0.3% decline, helped by hot weather and World Cup spending.

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