Unseasonably warm temperatures boost consumer expenditure in the UK as sales of electric fans and sports equipment increase.

UK retail sales rebounded in June as scorching weather fueled demand for electric fans, sports gear, and leisure items, yet households continued to face challenges posed by high living costs. According to data from the British Retail Consortium (BRC), overall sales lifted 3.1% year on year for June, following a sharp fall in May, encouraged by highest-ever temperatures and promotional deals that nudged consumers to open their wallets. Official statistics indicated a convergence of struggles for UK retail in May, with a 2.7% plummet in sales – the sharpest monthly contraction in nearly two years – amid economic softness and an unanticipated contraction of the broader economy by 0.1%. Despite this, the BRC highlighted the positive influence of June’s high temperatures on consumer spending, with food sales rising by 4.1%, a figure partly attributed to soaring food prices. Helen Dickinson, BRC’s CEO, noted how the sunshine spurred sales of electric fans and bolstered demand for sports and leisure products, in part due to Wimbledon’s commencement. Households, however, faced mounting financial pressure from persistent high inflation, exacerbated by tax hikes and climbing utility bills, with consumer confidence further wavered by concerns over sluggish growth, tourism sector turmoil, and uncertainties tied to Donald Trump’s trade policies. Additional figures from Barclays showcased a slight 0.1% year-on-year downturn in consumer card spending for June, incorporating a broader scope that counts spending on hospitality and leisure alongside traditional retail. Indicative of the caution exercised by consumers, basic expenditure on essentials such as food and fuel declined by 2.1%, yet the bank noted some indications of resurgence in consumer confidence and a heightened willingness to spend on experiences which saw a marginal 0.8% tick-up in discretionary spending. This modest rise was driven by sectors such as entertainment and health and beauty, buoyed by events like Beyoncé and Pitbull’s concert and large-scale outdoor gatherings in Hyde Park.

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/jul/15/hot-weather-uk-spending-fans-sales-retail-june