Retail sales warm up in Great Britain as shoppers spend more on food

Food sales were helped by rising temperatures and discounts in June despite pressure on household budgets. Photograph: Kerry Taylor/Alamy

The hottest June on record gave an unexpected boost to retail sales last month, with households in Great Britain buying more food and furniture despite continued pressure on budgets.

Officials figures showed that the quantity of goods bought rose 0.7% month on month, much higher than average analyst forecasts of a 0.2% bump in sales volumes, with most retailers reporting purchases were up, aside from petrol and diesel sellers.