Sales on UK high street at highest level for 3 years

- Published: 28 July, 2010

Retail sales reached their highest since before the current downturn, with the World Cup, warm weather and discounting seen as helping figures to rise.

According to the CBI, 51% of retail businesses said sales had risen in July, compared with 18% reporting sales down. This balance of 33% compares favourably with an overall -5% pattern in June, and is the highest since April 2007.

Economists had forecast a balance of just 3%, with retailers expecting 11%. The most significant growth came in grocery, clothing and footwear.

The fact that sales of food, drink and televisions rose markedly during the period indicates that the World Cup had a significant effect on growth.

Retailers are the most optimistic they have been for six years about trading prospects. A balance of 45% are expecting to reach higher sales volumes in August.

However, they were warned against being over-optimistic. Vicky Redwood, of Capital Economics said: "We remain sure that the fiscal squeeze will slow the economic recovery eventually."

>> May food sales up: Office for National Statistics

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>> Short-lived sales boost