World Cup helps shop sales

A SURGE in demand for televisions ahead of the World Cup helped retail sales bounce back last month, according to figures yesterday.

Data from the British Retail Consortium (BRC) showed that UK retail sales rose by 0.8 per cent on a comparable basis last month in a return to growth after pre-election uncertainty.

Warmer weather boosted DIY and clothing sales in May, while the upcoming World Cup finals drove growth in televisions, with non-food, non-store sales in particular benefiting – up 21.9 per cent, the best performance since December.

Stephen Robertson, director general of the BRC, said: "The sunnier second half of May provided a welcome boost to overall sales."