UK retail sales fell at the fastest rate in more than a year last month, as food and clothing sales slumped and shoppers cut back on alcohol and tobacco spending, new figures show.
The Office for National Statistics disclosed that the aggregate volume of retail sales diminished by 2.7% in May.
This nosedive starkly contrasts the 1.3% uptick recorded in April, now revised upwards from an initial estimate of 1.2% for the month.
The overall retail activity in May was significantly worse than the 0.7% decrease market analysts had projected for the month.
It was also the biggest monthly fall sinceDecember 2023.
The ONS said it was a “dismal” month for supermarkets with food sales falling sharply following a jump in April.
ONS senior statistician Hannah Finselbach remarked: “Retail sales fell sharply in May with their largest monthly fall since the end of 2023.
“This was mainly due to a dismal month for food retailers, especially supermarkets, following strong sales in April.
“Feedback suggested reduced purchases for alcohol and tobacco with customers choosing to make cutbacks.”
Further compounding the retail sector woes, reductions in consumer visits, alluding to decreased turnover, were reported by apparel and homeware outlets in May.
A dwindling interest in do-it-yourself products emerged last month, following an increase in home enhancement initiatives buoyed by favourable conditions in April.
Notwithstanding the disappointing performance in May, retail sales volumes actually observed a 0.8% rise when scrutinising the three-month spell leading up to May compared with the three months to February.
