July's hot weather failed to boost consumer spending in the UK which fell to a new low amid Brexit uncertainty and slow real wage growth. Average retail sales over the year to July rose by 0.5% - a record low according to the British Retail Consortium and KPMG. They said the "challenging retail environment" was taking its toll on both the High Street and online. And grocery sales, which normally rise when the sun is out, were "lacklustre". KPMG's UK head of retail, Paul Martin, said that while online shoppers had chosen to go online to update their wardrobes in the hot weather, online non-food sales grew by just ... (full story)