Food store sales volumes rose by 0.7% in June, following a fall of 0.4% in May as retailers attribute the boost to good weather and promotions.

According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), overall retail sales also edged up by 0.7%, above expert predictions of a 0.2% rise.

Despite the pick up, food store sales volumes were 2.6% below their pre-coronavirus levels in February 2020.

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ONS chief economist Grant Fitzner said: “Retail sales grew strongly, with food sales bouncing back from the effects of the extra bank holiday, partly helped by good weather.

“Growth still fell on an annual basis, but at its slowest rate since the beginning of the Ukraine war.”

British Retail Consortium chief executive Helen Dickinson added: “June’s sunshine gave retail sales growth a boost as customers readied themselves for the summer season.

“Nonetheless, consumer confidence remains fragile, and with households feeling the pinch from high inflation and rising interest rates they held back on making big ticket purchases.

“Retailers are hopeful that consumer confidence will improve over the coming months as inflation eases.”