UK heatwave and World Cup boost retail sales

Beleaguered high streets cheered by rise but long-term trend spells more shop closures and job losses

England's extended World Cup run and the summer sunshine gave an unexpected lift to retail sales in July as consumers spent heavily on supermarket food and drink.

Heavy discounting by clothing stores also brought shoppers back to the high street to reverse a decline in sales in June.

Maplin, Toys R Us and Jacques Vert have all collapsed in recent months, but a raft of retailers and restaurant groups are facing financial problems and are trying to close stores or negotiate rent cuts.