Football and summer discounts boost retail sales

Retailers reported a 0.5% rebound in sales in July after the Euros football championship and summer discounting fuelled shopping.

The increase contrasts with a sharp fall in June when poor weather dampened demand.

Department stores and shops selling sports goods shifted higher volumes of gear last month.

But the Office for National Statistics (ONS), which released the figures, said it was a "poor month for clothing and furniture shops and falling fuel sales despite prices at the pump falling".