New figures have revealed that sales of goods via mail order and online stores grew last month.

The value of sales made via online retail, mail order and phone orders rose last month, according to new figures.

Research by the British Retail Consortium (BRC) has revealed that non-food, non-store sales in June were 16.8 per cent higher than 12 months ago, which could have led to an increase in parcel deliveries in the UK.

Clearance offers and the recent heatwave were believed to behind the figures, which also revealed that overall UK retail sales rose 1.4 per cent on a like-for-like basis.

Stephen Robertson, director general of the BRC, said: "June's sunshine gave overall sales a much-needed boost.

He added: "The heatwave helped food retailers and got customers buying outdoor goods, such as garden furniture, pools and picnicware. Many clothing clearance sales coincided nicely with the upsurge in demand for summer wear that came from the good weather."

It was recently confirmed that Shop Direct Group has resurrected the Woolworths brand as part of a new online retail site.

Article Added: 15/07/2009 15:04:12