Online sales overtook high street sales in July, according to business advice firm BDO. According to the company’s most recent high street sales tracker, total like-for-like retail sales in-store and online increased by +2.8% in July as opposed to +3.0% in July 2024.
Compared to the same period previous year, brick and mortar retail revenues grew by +0.8%, which is a figure that is far lower than inflation. Online sales, however, contributed to the sector’s growth this month, as revenues rose by +8.3% over the same month the previous year.
Additionally, e-commerce sales of fashion increased by +10.1% while in-store sales increased by +1.3%.
The data showed that in-store sales had decreased for seven consecutive months, which was indicative of the industry’s continuous battle to convince consumers to spend money on the high street.
According to BDO, the increase in online sales showed that consumers might be persuaded to spend money if they had convenient access to the greatest offers or a selection of products that were well-timed.
It did point out, though, that physical retailers still find it extremely difficult to keep up with trends or swiftly adjust to shifting customer tastes.
According to a BDO survey earlier this month, the British high street had a slow June as shoppers opted to purchase online due to economic anxiety and warmer weather. While non-store sales, including online purchases, gained 4.3% year over year, in-store sales only increased by 0.6%.
Bharat Tex Special Report 2026 
