LONDON, July 22 Reuters British retail sales edged down in June as drivers cut back on recordpriced fuel, with consumers reducing shopping less than expected, data showed, though the trend remained weak as households struggle with surging inflation.

Retail sales volumes fell by a smallerthanexpected 0.1 from May, the Office for National Statistics said on Friday. Economists polled by Reuters had expected a 0.3 monthly fall.

After taking account of rising prices, retail sales fell slightly in June and although they remain above their prepandemic level, the broader trend is one of decline, Heather Bovill, an ONS statistician, said.

In the AprilJune period sales volumes were down by 1.2.

Excluding automotive fuel, volumes in June rose by 0.4 on the month, compared with a poll forecast for a fall of 0.4.

Automotive fuel sales volumes fell by 4.3, the biggest drop since October last year when a shortage of truck drivers triggered a wave of panic buying of petrol and diesel.

A monthly fall in May was estimated to have been more severe than originally thought, showing a drop of 0.8 from April compared with an initially reported decline of 0.5.

Britain39;s economy is feeling the strain of inflation which is on course to hit double digits, driven in large part by the skyrocketing fuel prices.

The Bank of England is expected to raise interest rates for the sixth time since December on Aug. 4, potentially adding to the drag on economic growth.

Paul Dales, an economist…