Bumper June retail sales figures have indicated that confidence could be returning to the stricken high street, according to retail recruiters.

High street sales rose by 1.2% in June, according to the Office for National Statistics.

Russell Crowe, managing director at Retail Kudos, told Recruiter: “The confidence levels are starting to increase across all retail. It is all to do with confidence. Companies are starting to release better news.

“Some of the projects previously on hold are coming to fruition in supermarkets, specialist retailers, gaming environments and health food retailers.”

Peter Shrimpton, managing director at Retail Executive Recruitment, adds: “Sales have increased due to the decent weather we’ve had. There is an air of optimism. People are fed up of feeling fed up. People have more money in their pockets due to inflation going up and down and people are treating themselves.”