Retail sales volumes rose in May

According to the Office for National Statistics, retail sales volumes are estimated to have risen by 0.3% in May 2023, following a rise of 0.5% in April 2023 (unrevised from our previous publication). Other key points below. Any thoughts, send them across ASAP as this story is BREAKING. You can read the full report >> here <<.

• Non-store retailing sales volumes rose by 2.7% in May 2023 because of strong sales by online retailers selling outdoor-related goods and summer clothing; this was boosted by the warm weather in the second half of the month.
• Automotive fuel stores sales volumes rose by 1.7% in May 2023, following a fall of 1.7% in April 2023; sales volumes were 9.5% below their pre-coronavirus (COVID-19) February 2020 levels.
• Food stores sales volumes fell by 0.5% in May 2023, with some anecdotal evidence of increased spending on takeaways and fast food because of the extra bank holiday, however retailers also indicated that increased cost of living and food prices continued to affect sales volumes.
• Non-food stores sales volumes fell by 0.2% in May 2023, following a rise of 0.9% in April.