Platinum Jubilee failed to prevent fall in retail sales in June

Retail sales dipped by 0.1% in June 2022 after a heavier fall of 0.8% in May, with the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee failing to give shops the major boost that some predicted.

Non-food stores, such as clothing and household goods, which fell 4.7% and 3.7% respectively, were hit particularly hard, according to data from the Office of National Statistics.

Where the Jubilee did have a positive impact was in food, which saw sales volumes spike by 3.1%, with retailers confirming that increased sales were because of the celebrations.

In recent months, the ONS said, retailers have shared that they are seeing a decline in volumes sold because of increased food prices and the cost of living crisis.

And while sales volumes were up 2.2% above their pre-coronavirus levels from February 2020, they were down when compared with the volumes from June 2021.