Growth was mainly driven by the hot weather and promotional discounts. June 2026 was the second warmest June on record, increasing demand for seasonal products such as outdoor equipment, fans, air conditioning, and sports goods.
Non-food stores performed strongly, with sales rising 1.2% in Quarter 2. Clothing stores recorded a 1.9% increase in June, while department stores benefited from sales of summer products. Online retailing also grew due to strong consumer demand and promotional offers.
In contrast, automotive fuel sales declined after motorists reduced travel and fuel purchases following higher prices and March's stockpiling linked to Middle East tensions. Online spending remained strong, increasing 3.8% from Quarter 1 and 11.7% compared with the same period in 2025. In June, 29.4% of all retail sales were made online, the highest share since April 2021.