British retailers said activity picked up in June as rising prices forced consumers to pay more for food and warmer weather spurred purchases of leisure items from swim wear to barbecues. The British Retail Consortium said its measure of like-for-like sales grew 4.2% from a year ago in June after, quicker than the 3.7% pace of expansion recorded in May. Food sales jumped 9.8% in the second quarter while other goods increased just 0.3%. “Sun-seekers headed to their favorite retailers to buy swim wear and beach towels, and outdoor games, garden furniture and barbecue food were boosted as families came together to ... (full story)