The figures, among the first pieces of hard evidence on the economy’s performance after the U.K.’s decision to leave the European Union, suggest households largely shrugged off the surprise referendum result and kept spending. The British pound rose on the news, climbing 1% against the dollar to $1.3169 after the data exceeded expectations. The Office for National Statistics said Thursday that retail sales rose 1.4% on the month in July and were 5.9% higher than a year earlier. The official statistics agency said sales increased in all categories of stores it monitors, with sales at department stores and clothing outlets...