UK retail sales rose 1% in June 2026, defying forecasts of a decline

UK retail sales volumes rose 1% month-on-month in June 2026, the ONS reported, against analyst expectations of a 0.3% decline. Year-on-year sales grew 4.2%, nearly double the 2.3% forecast. The Guardian attributed the surge to record heat, World Cup spending, and online shopping growth. The data is a first estimate and may be revised.