Air conditioning frenzy amid heatwave and World Cup fever help bring much-needed boost for high streets

By JAMES TAPSFIELD, UK POLITICAL EDITOR Published: 07:46, 24 July 2026 | Updated: 07:49, 24 July 2026 The heatwave gave high streets a much-needed boost last month - including frenzied efforts to get hold of air conditioning units. Official figures also suggest World Cup fever grabbed shoppers as retail sales surged by 1 per cent in June. Businesses reported that volumes were up for the second month running as temperatures soared. Clothing and footwear had a strong performance.  ONS senior statistician Hannah Finselbach said: 'Retail sales grew again in the latest quarter.  The heatwave gave high streets a much needed boost last month - including frenzied efforts to get hold of air conditioning units Official figures also suggest World Cup fever grabbed shoppers as retail sales surged by 1 per cent in June 'Internet retailers did especially well, with businesses telling us that this was because of promotions and the warm weather, with strong demand in June for outdoor products, air conditioning and clothing.  'Sports merchandise also sold well online. 'With internet retailers faring well, the proportion of online sales has risen to its highest since spring 2021 when coronavirus restrictions were ending.' Air conditioning units sold out across the country as Brits struggled with the intense heat last month.  Retail sales saw a 1.2 per cent rise in May and the 1 per cent fall previously detected in April was revised down to a 0.7 per cent fall.  As a result between April and June, sales are estimated to have risen by 0.6 per cent compared with the first three months of the year. Kien Tan, Senior Retail Adviser at PwC UK, said: 'A second month in a row of heatwaves and both England and Scotland's performances in the group stages of the World Cup lifted consumer confidence, which retailers in turn took advantage of with well-timed sales and promotions to entice shoppers to spend, reflected in the dip in inflation reported earlier this week. 'This momentum benefitted the whole sector, with higher spending across every category from barbecue food and summer clothing to fans, paddling pools and other outdoor products to take advantage of the weather. 'However, the warmest June on record in England also discouraged shoppers from visiting high streets. Footfall fell through the month, and it was online retailers who benefitted most from higher sales.' Businesses reported that volumes were up for the second month running as temperatures soared. Clothing and footwear had a strong performance