British retail sales rise in June

LONDON: British retail sales jumped in June as heavy discounting and sunny weather boosted consumer demand despite the recession, official data showed on Thursday.

Retail sales volumes rose 1.2 percent in June from May, and soared by 2.9 percent compared with the same month in 2008, the Office of National Statistics (ONS) said in a statement. That was the largest annual gain since December.

Sales were especially strong for clothing and footwear stores, according to the ONS.

Market expectations had been for a smaller month-on-month gain of 0.3 percent and a 2.1-percent annual rise, according to Dow Jones Newswires.

"There was some evidence of promotions, discounting and the sunny weather helping sales," said an ONS spokesman.