Retail sales were up 3.1% in August driven by good weather and an interest rate cut to round off a "solid" summer, figures show.

数据显示，受良好天气和降息推动，8月零售额增长3.1%，为“稳健”的夏季画上圆满句号。



The year-on-year uptick for total sales across the UK was up on last August's 1% and the 12-month average of 2%, according to the British Retail Consortium (BRC)-KPMG Retail Sales Monitor.

英国零售商协会（BRC）与毕马威（KPMG）联合发布的零售销售监测报告显示， 英国8月零售总额同比增幅高于去年8月的1%及过去12个月2%的平均增幅。

Computing and mobile phones performed well as parents readied children for the new academic year, but new school clothing and footwear did not sell as well as expected as some families opted for second-hand alternatives, the BRC said.

英国零售商协会表示，随着家长为孩子新学年做准备，电脑和手机销售表现良好， 但新学年服装和鞋类销售未达预期，部分家庭选择购买二手商品替代。

Food sales increased by 4.7% year-on-year, against last August's growth of 3.9% and above the 12-month average growth of 3.3%, although this was largely down to rising prices – up more than 4% over the month – rather than increasing volumes.

食品销售同比增长4.7%，高于去年8月的3.9%增幅及过去12个月3.3%的平均增幅， 不过这主要归因于价格上涨——当月食品价格涨幅超4%，而非销量增长。

Non-food sales increased by 1.8% against a decline of 1.4% a year ago, with sales of home goods seeing monthly increases since the spike in property transactions before the Stamp Duty changes in April.

非食品销售同比增长1.8%，而去年同期为下降1.4%。 自4月印花税调整前房产交易激增以来，家居用品销售额持续月度增长。

Home appliances, accessories, and DIY and garden goods all saw sales growth in August.

8月，家用电器、家居饰品、DIY及园艺用品销售额均实现增长。

BRC chief executive Helen Dickinson said: "Sunny weather and an interest rate cut helped August round off a solid summer of sales.

英国零售商协会首席执行官海伦·迪金森表示：“晴朗天气和降息助力8月零售额为稳健的夏季收官。”

"Despite a better summer, retailers approach the 'golden quarter' with caution. With the later-than-expected Budget falling just days before Black Friday, many are uneasy about how consumer confidence and spending could be impacted by tax rise speculation in the run-up to Christmas."

“尽管夏季表现向好，零售商仍对‘黄金季度’持谨慎态度。 预算案发布时间晚于预期，且恰逢‘黑色星期五’前数日， 许多零售商担忧，圣诞节前关于增税的猜测将影响消费者信心和支出。”

Sarah Bradbury, chief executive of the Institute of Grocery Distribution (IGD), said: "As shoppers settle back into reality after the hottest summer on record, food price inflation rose sharply in line with IGD's forecast, reaching 4.9% in July, driven by staples like beef, chocolate, and coffee.

英国食品分销协会（IGD）首席执行官莎拉·布拉德伯里称： “创纪录高温过后，消费者回归现实，食品价格通胀率如IGD预测般急剧上升， 7月达4.9%，主要受牛肉、巧克力和咖啡等主食推动。”

"Shopper confidence fell for the third consecutive month to minus one, with many expecting food prices to climb even further.

“消费者信心指数连续第三个月下滑至负1，许多人预计食品价格将进一步上涨。”

"The emotional weight of rising energy bills and fears of tax hikes in the autumn Budget are adding to the strain, especially as unemployment ticks upward. Yet, there are glimmers of relief: interest rates have been cut again, and mortgage rates are easing, offering some financial respite.

“能源账单不断上涨带来的经济压力，加上对秋季预算中可能提高税收的担忧， 尤其是在失业率逐渐上升的背景下，正让人们倍感焦虑。 不过，也有一些缓解迹象：利率再次下调，房贷利率有所松动，提供了些许财务喘息空间。”

"While volumes remain under pressure, financially resilient shoppers may remain more confident, even as they brace for a challenging winter."

“尽管销量仍承压，财务状况稳健的消费者可能仍保持信心，即便他们已为艰难的冬季做好准备。”

Separate figures from Barclays suggest consumer card spending grew just 0.5% year-on-year in August, down from 1.4% in July.

巴克莱银行另一组数据显示，8月消费者刷卡支出同比仅增长0.5%，低于7月的1.4%。

Essential spending fell, but discretionary spending rose 2% as clothing, furniture and health and beauty stores all performed well, according to the bank's figures.

该行数据显示， 必需品支出下降，但非必需品支出增长2%，服装、家具及健康美容商店表现良好。

However, following the announcement of higher-than-expected inflation in July, 89% of UK consumers are now concerned about food price rises – a seven month high – and 91% say they have noticed items becoming more expensive this year.

然而，7月通胀率高于预期公布后， 89%的英国消费者表示担忧食品价格上涨——为七个月来最高水平，91%的消费者称注意到今年商品价格变得更贵。

The most cited examples were meat, seafood and eggs, mentioned by 52% of consumers, fruit and vegetables (49%) and dairy products (48%).

消费者提及最多的例子是肉类、海鲜和蛋类（52%），水果和蔬菜（49%）以及乳制品（48%）。

Jack Meaning, chief UK economist at Barclays, said: "It is great to see consumer confidence improve in August, and households feel the benefit of another Bank of England rate cut.

巴克莱银行首席英国经济学家杰克·米宁表示：“很高兴看到8月消费者信心改善， 家庭感受到英格兰银行再次降息的利好。”

"However, the outlook for the rest of the year remains subdued, particularly as Budget speculation is likely to add to uncertainty for both households and businesses.

“不过，今年剩余时间的前景依然低迷， 尤其是预算案猜测可能加剧家庭和企业的不确定性。”

"In our view, it will take further interest rate cuts to provide the economy with a sustained boost."

“我们认为，需进一步降息才能为经济提供持续提振。”

素材来源：iYuba