Retail sales increased by 2.1 percent in the three months to June, with food sales strong on the back on good weather and World Cup celebrations.

In the three months to June 2018 the quantity bought in retail sales increased by 2.1 percent, with sales at food stores growing by 2.2 percent, the largest growth since May 2001.

Supermarkets said they had seen sales boosted by continued good weather and World Cup celebrations, raising sales of BBQ food and beer.

However, along with non-store retailing, the quantity bought saw a 0.5 percent decline on the pervious month.

Office for National Statistics senior statistician Rhian Murphy said:

“Retail sales grew strongly across the three months to June 2018 as the warm weather encouraged shoppers to buy food and drink for their BBQs.

“However, in June retail sales actually fell back slightly, with continued growth in food sales offset by declining spending in many other shops as consumers stayed away from stores and instead enjoyed the World Cup and the heatwave.”

Online sales remained strong, taking 18 percent of the total spent. Online spending in clothing and footwear stores continued to achieve new record proportions of online retailing, for the fourth consecutive month, at 17.5 percent.