Record breaking temperatures across the UK saw online sales rise last month, according to the latest figures from BRC-KPMG, with digital non-food sales increasing +5.1% year-on-year and tracking ahead of the 12month average of 1.5%.

Data from the BRC-KPMG Sales Monitor also showed that the online penetration rate, representing the proportion of non-food items bought online, increased to 39.0% in June, up by +1.3 percentage points compared to 2025.

Heatwave boosts digital sales

“Retail sales maintained momentum despite June’s heatwave. While in-store sales were stifled by soaring temperatures, the proportion of sales online was the highest of 2026, bolstered by well-timed promotions,” said Helen Dickinson, Chief Executive at the BRC.

“Demand for fans and air con units helped drive up home appliance sales, with some retailers struggling to restock fast enough, while the football World Cup also brought a boost for home electricals and food and drink,” Linda Ellett, UK Head of Consumer, Retail & Leisure at KPMG, commented.

Joybuy said sales of electrical fans rose by over +2,500% week-on-week during last month’s heatwave, while sales of John Lewis’ neck fans more than tripled as consumers looked to keep cool.

Online sales soared while in-store footfall faltered

Despite the boost to ecommerce, the uplift wasn’t enough to materially impact total UK retail sales, which remained flat against the 12-month average at 1.9% last month, while non-food store sales fell by -1.1% year-on-year.

Footfall also faltered last month amid soaring temperatures, with Sensormatic Solutions’ data revealing that total store visits dipped -3.4% year-on-year in June. High Streets saw the biggest decline, with shopper traffic falling -6.2% compared to 2025.

“Exceptionally high temperatures are likely to have influenced behaviour, particularly in the South, where record heat and travel disruption made shopping trips less appealing,” said Sensormatic’s EMEA Retail Consultant, Andy Sumpter.