Retail sales in the UK rose 2.9 percent in May, up from a revised 1.8 percent fall in April, the Office for National Statistics reported.
Economists polled by Reuters had, on average, forecasted sales volumes would increase by 1.5 percent in May.
The Office for National Statistics said in its report, “Sales volumes rose across most sectors, with clothing retailers and furniture stores rebounding following poor weather in April.”
By channel, textile, clothing, and footwear experienced strong gains, up 5.4 percent, and household goods stores were ahead 3.5 percent. At department stores, sales were up on a monthly basis by 1.7 percent and 1.2 percent at food stores.
Compared to a year ago, May sales volumes were 1.3 percent higher, after a revised 2.3 percent fall in April, but remained 0.5 percent below February 2020 levels before the pandemic.
Image courtesy Savile Row
