HIGH street retailers and online stores enjoyed the fastest quarterly growth on record following the easing of lockdown, figures show.

Retail sales over April and June were up by more than ten percent compared with the same period in 2019.

The British Retail Consortium (BRC) said warmer weather, staycations due to foreign holiday restrictions and the start of the Euro 2020 tournament all contributed to increased retail spending over the period.

Helen Dickinson, chief executive of the BRC, said: “The second quarter of 2021 saw exceptional growth as the gradual unlocking of the UK economy encouraged a release of pent-up demand built up over previous lockdowns.

“With many people taking staycations or cheaper UK-based holidays, many have found they have a little extra to spend at the shops, with strong growth in-store in June.

“Fashion and footwear did well while the sun was out in the first half of June, while the start of Euro 2020 provided a boost for TVs, snack food and beer.”

However, many high street stores still face big challenges from reduced numbers of tourists and a lack of commuters in the wake of the pandemic.

The news comes despite the closure of major fashion chains, including Debenhams and Topshop, with many others also closing stores across the country.

Ms Dickinson added that the continued easing of lockdown restrictions, planned for next Monday, will be a crucial test for many companies.

“Many customers are looking forward to a return to a more normal shopping experience, while others may be discouraged by the change in face covering rules,” she said.

Separate credit and debit card data from Barclaycard found consumer spending rose by more than 11 per cent in June compared with two years ago, with spending at bars and pubs climbing by 38.1 percent - the biggest increase since September last year.