UK shop sales grew at a snail’s pace in May versus the same month last year, with slow food sales acting as a brake to overall expansion.

The British Retail Consortium (BRC) said shops sold 0.5 per cent more goods year-on-year in May. During the previous 12-month period sales had increased 1.8 per cent.

By category clothing did the briskest trade as consumers shopped for summer outfits and holiday-wear. The food category, meanwhile, registered an overall decline.

Online sales continued to march ahead, registering growth of 17 per cent in non-food sales during the 12 months to May.

Helen Dickinson, director general of the BRC, said: "Customers took advantage of great summer fashion ranges and clothing sales had their best results since December 2011, performing better than any other category.

“There is also strong momentum in big ticket sales such as consoles and televisions as customers feel confident enough in the economy to make purchases that had been on hold, waiting for economic recovery.”

Such big ticket sales will likely continue, inspired by big sporting events like Wimbledon and the football World Cup.