The UK high street avoided a World Cup hangover in July as retail sales volumes jumped 1.1%, official figures showed today.
The better than expected performance represented the highest monthly rise since February, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said.
A strong rise in volumes for a broad mix of retailers, including sports equipment and jewellery shops, offset a flat month for department stores and lower household goods sales, the ONS said.
Shoppers in the UK are also likely to have been tempted in by price cutting on the high street after inflation figures earlier this week showed the biggest slide in clothing and footwear prices for eight years between June and July.
But sales volumes from food stores were down 1% month on month as the impact of the World Cup faded while prices also rose.
Household goods stores saw volumes fade 0.7% month on month as the pre-tournament boom in flat-screen televisions faded slightly.
Overall sales volumes were up 1.3% on a year earlier, although concerns remain over the prospects for the high street as the British government's austerity measures loom.
VAT is set to be hiked to 20% in January as part of the coalition's deficit-busting package, while looming public sector belt-tightening and fears over unemployment are also likely to dent consumer confidence.
