British high street sees rise in takings in May

UK retail sales increased for a second month in a row in May as the sunny weather and royal wedding encouraged shoppers to splash out on food and household goods, official figures indicate.

Sales nudged up 1.3 per cent compared with April, with growth recorded across all main sectors, on the back of an upwardly revised 1.8 per cent rise the month before, according to new data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

The official figures contrast with a snapshot last week suggesting that the UK high street had suffered its worst year-on-year May performance for 12 years despite the royal wedding, warm weather and two bank holidays.

Sales were down 2.2 per cent on May last year, making it eight months since in-store like-for-like sales have shown growth of 1 per cent or more, according to BDO’S High Street Sales Tracker.

The ONS said online spending for food and clothing stores continued to rise.