Department stores sales increased for the first time this year in July, according to the Office for National Statistics.
Following six months of decline, department stores recorded a month-on-month growth of 1.6%.
“Department store retailers have suggested that new clothes lines in addition to extra promotions have helped with sales for this month,” the ONS said.
Online sales also grew, accounting for 12.7% of total spend in July 2019, when compared with July 2018, and as a proportion of all retailing increased to 19.9% in July 2019, from the 18.9% reported in June 2019.
The ONS said overall in the three months to July 2019 retail sales increased by 0.5%.
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