Key takeaways:
- Overall Growth: Retail sales volumes rose by 1.2% in May 2026, though they still remain slightly below (-0.4%) pre-pandemic levels from February 2020
- Weather-Driven Sales: The Met Office recorded the joint-third warmest May on record. This hot weather, combined with retail promotions, drove strong sales in seasonal items like fans, paddling pools, and outdoor furniture.
- Online Boom: Online (non-store) retailers saw a massive 6.1% sales surge in May, their biggest monthly jump since February 2025. Online purchases now account for 28.8% of all retail sales.
- Department Stores: Department stores also benefited from the weather and promotions, posting a 2.7% volume increase in the three months to May .