Read our Privacy noticeConsumer demand for cool clothes and garden accessories was a bright spot in an otherwise glum July for retailers as the relentless heat took its toll, figures show. Total retail sales across the UK were up 1.3% year on year last month, below the 12-month average of 1.8%, according to data from the British Retail Consortium (BRC) and KPMG. England’s progress to the semi-finals of the World Cup helped drive a 3.8% increase in food sales, above the 12-month average of 3.4%. A survey for the bank found 20% of UK adults bought light and cool summer clothes in response to the heatwave. “Multiple factors played a part, with UK staycations, continued warm weather and England’s World Cup run lifting spending on travel, hospitality, everyday essentials and seasonal retail categories.”