British retail sales slump by more than forecast amid chilly weather

From theguardian.com

Retail sales in Great Britain slumped in June by more than forecast as cautious households reined in their spending amid poor weather, election uncertainty and the cost of living crisis. Figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show retail sales volumes were estimated to have fallen by 1.2% in June, after a rise of 2.9% a month earlier. City economists had predicted a shallower 0.4% decline. Grant Fitzner, the ONS chief economist, said department stores, clothing shops and furniture stores were the biggest contributors to the fall. “Retail sales fell back from May’s recent high point with falls ... (full story)