Retail sales rose a surprising amount in July, as good weather and the Women's Euros led people to part with their cash, official figures show.

The amount of spending rose 0.6% in July, according to figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), far above the 0.2% rise anticipated by economists polled by Reuters.

In particular, clothing and footwear stores, as well as online shopping, experienced strong growth.

When looked at on a three-monthly basis, the

Retail sales figures are significant as they measure household consumption, the largest expenditure in the UK economy.

Image: Fans gather during a Homecoming Victory Parade in London after England's win in the final of the Women's Euros. Pic: PA

Growing retail sales can mean economic growth, which the government has repeat

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