UK High Street sales up 1.1%

The 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 month-on-month 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.