Data compiled by KPMG and the British Retail Consortium show UK retail sales by value increased 3.2% in July compared with the same month a year ago - the second consecutive month of growth following three months of falling sales. Online purchases accounted for 42% of all sales down from 50.5% in June, indicating consumers were returning to the high street. Separate data from Barclaycard found overall UK consumer spending was down by 2.6% in July, compared with 2019 – the smallest fall in spending since lockdown restrictions were first imposed.
Read more: Financial Times