Retail sales slump by more than forecast in Great Britain amid poor weather

Drop of 1.2% in June comes as households rein in spending during cost of living crisis

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Retail sales in Great Britain slumped in June by more than forecast as cautious households reined in their spending amid poor weather, election uncertainty and the cost of living crisis.

Figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show retail sales volumes were estimated to have fallen by 1.2% in June, after a rise of 2.9% a month earlier. City economists had forecast a shallower 0.4% decline.