Retail sales rise 1% in May despite low non-essential spending
Food sales increased by 3.6% compared with May 2024, while non-food sales fell by 1.1% – unchanged from the same rate of decline a year ago
Total retail sales rose by 1% year-on-year in the four weeks to 31 May, up from 0.7% in the same period last year, despite customers cutting back on non-essential purchases, according to new figures from the British Retail Consortium (BRC).
It comes as consumer confidence had risen in May, supported by warmer weather, bank holidays and expectations of lower energy bills.
However, the BRC warned that May saw the weakest growth so far in 2025, with non-food sales continuing to fall.
Food sales increased by 3.6% compared with May 2024, while non-food sales fell by 1.1% – unchanged from the same rate of decline a year ago. In-store non-food sales dropped by 0.9%, while online non-food sales were down 1.5%, reversing 1.5% growth seen last May. The proportion of non-food items bought online held steady at 35.9%.
Helen Dickinson, chief executive of the BRC, said: “Consumers put the brakes on spending, with the slowest growth in 2025 so far. This was due largely to declines in non-food sales, as fashion and full price big-ticket items were held back by lower consumer confidence.
“Gaming bucked the trend, thanks to some popular new releases. Food sales remained solid as the month saw the conclusion of football tournaments and two bank holidays, prompting spending on BBQs and picnics.”
She added: “Retailers are grappling with the £5bn in extra costs from higher National Insurance contributions and wages, which kicked in during April. They also face an additional £2bn later this year from new packaging taxes and remain concerned about the consequences of the Employment Rights Bill.”
