Retail sales increased but sales growth slowed to its “lowest level in six months” as the three bank holidays in May failed to get consumers spending.
Total retail sales were up 3.9% in May, against a decline of 1.1% in the same month last year, according to the BRC-KPMG Retail Sales Monitor.
On a like-for-like basis sales increased by 3.7% over the month, against a decrease of 1.5% last year.
Food sales grew 9.6% in total and 9.8% on a like-for-like basis over the three months to May – above the total average growth of 6.9%.
Non-food sales edged up 0.7% on a total basis and 0.5% over three months.
British Retail Consortium chief executive Helen Dickinson said: “The trio of bank holidays failed to get shoppers spending as sales growth slowed to its lowest level in six months.
“While food sales got a boost from the Coronation weekend, this was not sustained for the rest of the month. Meanwhile, growth in discretionary spend continued to tumble as the high cost of living squeezed households.
“There was cause for some optimism, however, as brighter weather at the end of the month led to a much-needed pick-up in summer fashion sales, as well as gardening and DIY products.
“With consumer confidence still recovering from record depths, and continued tightening of household incomes, we are unlikely to see substantial sales growth in the coming months.
“But with signs that inflation has possibly peaked, retailers are hopeful that confidence will continue to improve. Now is not the time for the government to impose more regulation and tax on business that will push up costs for retailers and prices for their customers.”
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