Food store sales returned to growth in August, rising by 1.2% following a fall of 2.6% in July, according to the latest data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
Supermarkets reported that some of the fall in July came as a result of poor weather reducing summer clothing sales.
However, food store sales remained 4.1% below their pre-coronavirus levels in February 2020 as the increased cost of living and food prices continue to affect sales volumes.
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Overall retail sales also rose by 0.4% last month, just below economist predictions of 0.5%.
Despite the bounce back, fuel sales volumes fell by 1.2% following a rise of 0.9% in July as petrol and diesel prices increased.
Senior ONS statistician, Heather Bovill, said: “Retail recovered a little from the large fall seen in July, driven by a partial bounce back in food and a strong month for clothing, though sales overall remain subdued.
“These were partially offset by internet sales, which dropped slightly as some people returned to shopping in person following a very wet July.
“Fuel sales also fell, with increased prices hitting demand.”
