The Guardian19 Jun 2026Macro
Automatically composed with AI from the cited sources
Sales volumes rose 1.2% month-on-month in May, the strongest pace since January and more than double the 0.5% consensus, the ONS reported. The rebound followed a revised 1.0% fall in April (initially −1.3%) and an upwardly revised 0.7% rise in March. Non-store retailing surged 6.1%, department stores 2.5%, and household goods stores 3.2%, while supermarket volumes slipped 0.4%; retailers attributed the strength to record May heat driving demand for fans, paddling pools and outdoor furniture, alongside promotions and a pre‑World Cup lift in football‑shirt and television sales.