UK retail sales rebounded in May as warm weather and the early bank holiday drove demand for summer clothing, outdoor goods and food.

Total retail sales rose 3.7 per cent year on year in May, according to the British Retail Consortium, marking the strongest increase since April 2025.

The rise followed a three per cent fall in April, with food sales up 3.9 per cent and non-food sales climbing 3.5 per cent.

BRC chief executive Helen Dickinson said: “May’s heatwave drove a surge in outdoor and summer goods.

“Clothing and footwear returned to growth as shoppers snapped up summer essentials like sandals and sunglasses.

“There was also roaring trade in fans, lighter bedding, and outdoor toys, and food sales were lifted by bank holiday barbecues.”

Separate data from Barclays showed consumer card spending grew 0.8 per cent year on year in May, recovering from a 0.1 per cent decline in April, but remaining behind inflation, which was running at around three per cent.

The bank said hot weather supported growth across food and drink retailers, health and beauty, and hotels and accommodation, as more shoppers spent on domestic tourism.

However, travel spending fell 5.8 per cent, marking a third consecutive month of decline, while airline spending dropped 12.9 per cent year on year.

Barclays said consumer confidence had returned to levels last seen in early 2026, although two-thirds of respondents were making financial adjustments in response to uncertainty.

The figures suggested shoppers were willing to spend on seasonal categories and domestic leisure, but remained cautious about bigger-ticket travel purchases amid concerns over the economic impact of the Iran war.

Barclays’ data covered April 27 to May 22, while the BRC survey covered May 3 to May 30.

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