Despite the ONS signalling a 0.6% rise in GDP, new research from the British Independent Retailers Association (Bira) shows that independent traders logged a year-on-year quarterly decline of 1.9% in the three months to June.
It does, however, mark the best result for Bira in a year. While 52.8% of independents flagged a drop in trade, this was a big improvement on the 60.6% in the same position last quarter.

The numbers reporting flat sales rose to 8.2% and those reporting an increase to 39%. Garden supplies and machinery led the winners with a 12.2% increase in year-on-year sales as the sun made its appearance towards the end of the quarter.

Furniture and floor coverings as well as big ticket indoor items suffered the worst fall at -6.64%. In regional terms, East Anglia gain the most sales while the North West fared least well. Those reporting confidence in the year ahead rose to 6%, while those only reasonably confident fell to 45.5%, and those describing themselves as 'anxious' rose to 48.95%.

A spokesperson for Bira said: "In trade as with the weather there are bright spots and thunderstorms. The overall trend has improved, but there is still less money in the till than at this time last year.

"Partly this is because, as the BRC has shown, shop prices in the non-food half of retail are still falling - as it happens by about the same amount that independents' sales figures have flagged, 1.9%. Sales volumes are, at best, marking time.

"These figures show that the government needs to remain cautious about hailing a general recovery, wage growth still lags overall inflation, the economy is still smaller than it was in 2008 and the fragile state of retail sales, even where there is growth, is only underpinned by historically bargain basement interest rates."