Food sales have been labelled “disappointing” in the three months to June, having increased just 1.1% year on year as colder weather hindered consumer spending.

While food sales were up over the period, this figure was against a growth of 9.8% in June 2023 when the UK experienced a heatwave, and below the 12-month average growth of 5.5%, according to the latest BRC-KPMG retail sales monitor.

UK total retail sales decreased by 0.2% year on year last month, against a growth of 4.9% in June 2023, which British Retail Consortium chief executive Helen Dickinson OBE said came as a result of “cooler weather in the first half of the month”, with weather-sensitive categories such as clothing, footwear, DIY and gardening “hit particularly hard”.

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She added: “Retailers remain hopeful that as the summer social season gets into full swing and the weather improves, sales will follow suit.”

KMPG UK head of consumer, retail and leisure Linda Ellett described food and drink sales as “disappointing” in June, adding “despite pressure on household finances easing, with petrol and energy costs and shop price inflation all continuing to fall, consumers remain incredibly reluctant to take the brakes off of their spending.”

“The stimulus of good weather, Wimbledon and Euro 24, which was hoped would drive consumer spending, has so far failed to materialise and financial concerns remain with many households.

“Retailers, who are running to stand still at the moment, having exhausted all of the levers they have at their disposal to cut costs and drive sales via promotions, will be looking to the new government to boost the economy and confidence,” she added.