Commenting on the Office of National Statistics retail sales index for May 2026, Jacqueline Windsor, Head of Retail at PwC UK, said:
“At face value, retail sales surprised on the upside in May. Headline retail sales volumes excluding petrol grew by 1.2% compared with the previous month, and a respectable 4.6% compared with the same time last year. Taking into account inflation, that means that UK retailers saw 6.8% more in their tills compared with last May, which is the strongest year-on-year growth since June 2023.
“However, last month benefitted from both a weak comparable period, with May 2025 seeing a decline in sales as shoppers brought forward their spring purchases following an unusually warm March and April; and the heatwave coinciding with the bank holiday and half term towards the end of the month, which helped the sales of everything from barbecue foods and summer fashions, to fans and paddling pools.
“The high street itself did not benefit though, with footfall declining and online retailers reaping the rewards. Penetration of internet sales jumped from 28.1% in April to 28.8% in May, which was the same as in March, and higher than at any point since the end of the pandemic in 2021.
“Stepping back, it’s no coincidence that inflation at 2.8% was also lower than expected last month, as retailers kept a lid on prices to encourage shoppers to clear seasonal stock after a weak April. This kept shoppers’ buying power a whisker ahead of slowing wage growth at 2.9%, also announced this week. This should maintain the retail sales momentum into June, helped by the continuing warm weather and World Cup fever.
“But, as inflationary pressures grow later in the year, particularly on essentials like energy and food, it is inevitable that shoppers will need to tighten their belts. For retailers, the hope is that early summer did not prove to be a false dawn after a challenging spring, and that any slowdown rebounds in time for the critical run-up to Christmas.”
-Ends-
Notes to Editors:
Based on the 7am edition of ONS data released on 19th June here: https://www.ons.gov.uk/businessindustryandtrade/retailindustry/bulletins/retailsales/may2026
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