The bank holiday weekends provided a small boost to retail sales in May, helping to offset a more challenging performance across the rest of the month.
The latest figures from the British Retail Consortium and KPMG show that total sales rose 0.7% in the four weeks to 25 May, compared to 3.9% in 2023.
Food sales increased 3.6% over the three months to May, against a growth of 9.5% last year.
Total non-food sales came under pressure once again as it dropped 2.4% over the quarter, steeper than the 12-month average decline of 1.7%.
In-store non-food sales fell 2.7% in the three months to May, against a growth of 2.9%, while online sales edged up 1.5%, compared to a 3% decline last year.
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BRC chief executive Helen Dickinson said: “Despite a strong bank holiday weekend for retailers, minimal improvement to weather across most of May meant only a modest rebound in retail sales last month.
“Although non-food sales fell over the course of the month, the long weekend did see increased purchases of DIY and gardening equipment, as well as strong clothing sales.
“Growth in computing sales reached their highest levels since the pandemic, with many consumers continuing to upgrade tech bought during that period.
“Retailers remain optimistic that major events such as the Euros and the Olympics will bolster consumer confidence this summer.”
KPMG retail and leisure UK head of consumer Linda Ellett said: “Whilst May’s figures show barely positive increases in retail sales, with less than one percent growth year-on-year, the impact of falling CPI – which means volumes are not declining as quickly, may help to soften the blow for hard-working retailers.
“With the early bank holiday and some better weather, there was a big step up in the number of categories that saw positive high street sales growth which was close to 3-in-4.
“Health, personal care, beauty and computing continued to sell well, whilst women’s and children’s clothing also saw small increases in sales.
“After nearly three years, things may have turned a corner for online retailers, with year-on-year sales growth across most categories, including toys and baby equipment and house textiles.”
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