UK retail sales enjoyed a boost in July as the wet summer weather encouraged consumer spending.

According to the British Retail Consortium (BRC), UK stores welcomed a boost in retail sales mainly attributed to the wet summer weather.

Like-for-like sales rose by 1.8% this month compared with July 2008. This is an increase on June’s reported 1.4% rise.

Furniture and homewares showed the best retail results with summer sales and the wet weather encouraging consumers to think more about the indoors. Clothing sales also improved as autumn/winter ranges got off to a good start.

Sales through online shops, mail and phone orders saw a 20% increase from last year.

However, the BRC warned that the rising unemployment prevented consumer confidence returning in full force.

Stephen Robertson, Director General of the BRC, said: “There is a sense among some customers that the beginning of the end of the recession is here but rising unemployment and job-loss fears will continue to hold back the widespread return of consumer confidence for some time yet.”

Helen Dickinson, Head of Retail at KPMG, added: “On the face of it, last month’s trend has continued with retail sales holding up better than some other areas of consumer spending.

“But the volatility of performance across the different sectors remains, highlighting the current precarious nature of consumer demand.”