UK retail sales see growth again in May, according to ONS data

Retail sales volumes are estimated to have risen by 1.2% in May 2026, an improvement on the 1% drop in April 2026.

Non-store retailers and department stores saw increased sales, which were attributed to promotions and hot weather over the month.

Department stores’ volume sales grew 2.7% in the month and 2.5% over three months, while non-store retailers grew 1.3% in May and 6.1% over three months.

Sales volumes for non-food stores, a combination of department, clothing, household, and more, rose 1.2%. Sales volumes across non-store retailers saw their largest monthly rise since February 2025 at 6.1%.

Food and textile, clothing, and footwear stores were the only retail categories with a fall in volumes, at 0.5% and 0.2%, respectively.

Overall sales volumes rose 0.4% in the three months to May 2026 compared with the three months to February 2026.

Online retail value sales grew 3.4% in May and 3.3% over the past three months. Online spending values rose 3.3% in May, and grew 9.8% between February and May.

Alvarez & Marsal European retail and consumer lead Erin Brookes said: “May’s retail sales figures offer hope that consumers are willing to spend again, with the warm weather and bank holiday weekends helping to drive demand across department stores, online retail and consumer electronics.

“Retailers will be willing to carry this positive momentum through the summer, with major sporting events like the World Cup helping to boost spending on food and drink, electricals, and home entertainment.

“While the uplift is encouraging, the picture remains finely balanced. Consumer confidence has improved from last year’s lows, and yet high household bills, housing costs, and volatile fuel prices continue to weigh on spending decisions, with an elevated GfK savings index indicating that many households are still prioritising saving over discretionary purchases.

“At the same time, retailers continue to face significant cost pressures of their own, creating a challenging backdrop despite signs of improving demand. For retail leaders, the focus should now be on converting a strong month into sustained consumer spending. As households remain selective about where they spend, retailers will need to work harder to demonstrate value and maintain relevance through the key summer trading period.”