UK Retail Sales Jump 1.2% MoM, More Than Double Forecast

UK retail sales rose 1.2% month-on-month in June 2026, significantly beating the 0.5% forecast and reversing the prior -1.3% decline. The result signals a resilient UK consumer and stronger-than-expected domestic demand. GBP/USD and EUR/GBP are the primary pairs to watch. A strong beat of this magnitude supports sterling bulls, as improved consumer activity reduces recession fears and may reinforce Bank of England hawkish expectations.