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 said the total volume of retail sales fell by 2.7% in May.
This compared with a 1.3% rise in April, which was revised up from a previous estimate of 1.2% for the month.
Retail sales fell across all sectors in May 2025. This was the largest monthly fall since December 2023.
— Office for National Statistics (ONS) (@ONS) June 20, 2025
Retail sales volumes have fallen 2.7% in May 2025, following a rise of 1.3% in April 2025 (revised up from 1.2%).
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May’s overall retail sales came in considerably below the 0.7% decline that most economists had been expecting for the month.
It was also the biggest monthly fall since December 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 said: “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.”
She added that clothing and homeware stores were reporting reduced footfall in May – meaning fewer people coming into shops.
A drop in demand for DIY items last month followed the sunny weather in April that had boosted home improvement projects.
Despite May’s decline, retail sales volumes rose by 0.8% across the three months to May, compared with the three months to February.
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