UK retail sales rose by 1.2% in May, compared to a decline of approximately 1.0% in April, exceeding expectations of 0.5% growth. Sales for the three months to May increased by 0.4%, driven by higher sales in non-food and non-traditional stores.

Specifically, retail sales excluding automotive fuel rose by 1.2% in May, while sales in non-food stores increased by 1.2%, sales in household goods stores rose by 3.2%, and sales outside of stores increased by 6.1% and 3.7%, respectively. Online sales surged by 12.2% in May, with promotional offers and a heatwave contributing to this increase.