Money blog: The odd rules that could land you with a big fine on holiday<\/a><\/p>\n Also weighing on spending was reduced consumer confidence amid talk of higher taxes<\/a>, according to a closely watched indicator from market research firm GfK.<\/p>\n Retail sales figures are significant as they measure household consumption, the largest expenditure in the UK economy.<\/p>\n Growing retail sales can mean economic growth, which the government has repeatedly said is its top priority.<\/p>\n 0:56<\/p>\n What does ‘inflation is rising’ mean? <\/p>\n Where have people been shopping?<\/p>\n June’s retail sales rise came as people bought more in supermarkets, and retailers said drinks sales were up.<\/p>\n While hot and sunny weather boosted some brick-and-mortar shops, the heat led some to head online.<\/p>\n Read more from Money: Non-store retailers, which include mainly online shops, but also market stalls, had sold the most in more than three years.<\/p>\n Not since February 2022 had sales been so high as the Met Office said England had its warmest ever June, and the second warmest for the UK as a whole.<\/p>\n The June increases suggest that the May drop was a bump in the road. When looked at as a whole, the first six months of the year saw retail sales up 1.7%.<\/p>\n Filling up the car for day trips to take advantage of the sun played an important role in the retail sales growth.<\/p>\n When fuel is excluded, the rise was smaller, just 0.6%.<\/p>\n Welcome news<\/p>\n Despite lower consumer sentiment and more expensive goods, consumers are benefitting from rising wages<\/a> and are cutting back on savings.<\/p>\n![\"Inflation](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/skynews-money-inflation-economy_6966259.jpg\")
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