UK retailers enjoyed a stronger month in May as warm weather, bank holidays and seasonal spending helped lift sales following a prolonged period of weakness.

According to the latest High Street Sales Tracker from BDO, like-for-like sales across discretionary categories including fashion, homewares and lifestyle increased by 3.4 per cent compared with the same month last year.

The improvement follows an especially difficult April, which recorded the weakest performance for the month in a decade outside the pandemic period.

Online sales led the recovery, rising 9.3 per cent year-on-year, while in-store sales increased by 3.4 per cent. The figures suggest retail sales volumes grew for the first time since August 2025, although the comparison is against a weak base when sales fell 3.1 per cent in May last year.

Sophie Michael said favourable weather conditions appeared to have provided a temporary boost to consumer spending after months of subdued demand.

May included two bank holidays and a school half-term break, while unusually warm temperatures encouraged spending on seasonal clothing and products associated with outdoor activities. Increased domestic travel may also have contributed to stronger trading, with many consumers opting for UK breaks during the holiday periods.

Despite the improvement, questions remain over whether the recovery can be sustained. Consumer spending has been constrained for much of the past year by higher living costs and economic uncertainty, leaving retailers vulnerable to shifts in confidence.

Michael cautioned that the latest figures should be viewed in context given the weakness of the comparison period. While retailers will welcome the return to growth, she noted that underlying pressures remain significant.

The sector continues to face rising operating costs, while concerns over energy prices and supply chain disruption have intensified following tensions affecting shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz. Any further increase in household costs could also weigh on discretionary spending in the months ahead.

The May figures offer a rare positive moment for retailers, but analysts say the broader outlook remains uncertain. Much will depend on whether consumer confidence improves sufficiently to sustain spending once seasonal factors and favourable weather effects begin to fade.