British retail sales growth slowed to its weakest rate in eight months in July as wet weather and higher borrowing costs kept people away from shops.
The British Retail Consortium (BRC)/KPMG retail sales monitor said like-for-like sales grew 1.2 per cent last month - half the monthly average for the second quarter.
Total sales were 3.1 per cent higher last month than in July last year - also the slowest rate of growth since last November.
The BRC noted sales patterns had been heavily influenced by the weather, with July 2006 the hottest on record and July 2007 the wettest.
It said last month's torrential rain had hit clothing and footwear but boosted department stores and out-of-town centres.
Moreover, the Bank of England has raised interest rates five times in the last year to a six-year high of 5.75 per cent, and many economists expect at least one more hike this year.
