The forecasted warm weather this Bank Holiday is set to give retailers a welcome boost, with consumers expected to snap up back-to-school ranges, DIY and gardening products and food for BBQs.

With most parts of the UK forecast for a mix of bright spells with some periods of cloudier damp weather, consumers are expected to hit the stores this Bank Holiday.

Verdict senior analyst Honor Westnedge said: “We’re coming to the end of school holidays so back-to-school [clothing] will do well. The grocers, Marks & Spencer and Matalan will see a big influx in people buying back-to-school.”

Westnedge said fashion retailers would be hoping for a lift this weekend as they look to clear out the last of their summer stock. She also said transition ranges from fashion retailers would perform well, although customers would also be snapping up autumn ranges.

She said: “It’s the last Bank Holiday of the summer and it’s the beginning of autumn so people might be investing in new workwear…and updating their wardrobe.”

Food retailers are also expected to see a lift in sales as the warm weather encourages customers to purchase food for picnics and BBQs, said Westnedge.

She added that if the weather remains dry, DIY and gardening retailers would trade well. “People like to spend that extra day off doing DIY and gardening, and if it’s nice, people will go out and do some gardening,” she added.