Retail sales grew at a faster pace in June than economists had predicted with a 0.7% rise in June.
Growth was boosted by a spell of warm weather, analysts suggest. They had been expecting the overall value of sales to have been flat, year-on-year.
“Retail sales grew strongly, with food sales bouncing back from the effects of the extra bank holiday, partly helped by good weather, and department stores and furniture shops also having a strong month,” ONS chief economist Grant Fitzner said.
The watch industry lagged the broader retail market in Britain in June.
GfK reported a drop in the value of sales in June of 10.5%
Sales of watches priced at £5000 to £10,000 were down 15% in June, while the normally gravity-defying over £10,000 segment dropped 3%.
The summer slowdown follows a strong start to the year with watch sales rising by 8%, 10%, 15% and 28% from January to April.
