The sun brings out the shoppers as retail sales grow

Underlying retail sales rose 1.3 per cent in May following a sharp 3.3 per cent decline in April when grim weather deterred shoppers, according to the British Retail Consortium.

The 1.3 per cent increase was almost double analysts’ forecasts of a 0.7 per cent rise.

The BRC said miserable weather at the start of the month turned to glorious sunshine which boosted sales of food and drink, clothing and footwear to turn around what could have been a dismal May.

Food sales rose modestly, helped by sunny weather boosting seasonal produce, but big-ticket items continued to struggle as consumers’ underlying caution about jobs and the economy restrained larger purchases.

Stephen Robertson, director general of the British Retail Consortium, said: “As the relentlessly difficult underlying conditions continue to make trading tough for retailers, any temporary boost is of even greater importance and retailers had plenty of reason to celebrate the eventual arrival of summer at the end of May.

“Much of the month’s positive performance can be attributed to spending in the final week when consumers responded enthusiastically to the sun coming out.”

He added that it is likely the prolonged wet period during April and early May helped create pent-up demand and people also felt more relaxed about their spending as the sun created a feelgood boost.

“Small numbers of customers buying jeans and knitwear in the first weeks of May became many more people purchasing skirts, shorts and swimwear by the end of the month,” said Mr Robertson.

Womenswear had its best growth this year, while garden centres enjoyed a boom in the number of people investing in new lawnmowers to tackle overgrown grass.

The performance of food retailers was more consistent across the month, but the BRC said there was a marked change in the type of products customers are buying.

Home-baking products, potatoes and stewing meats were replaced with salads, fruits, ice-cream and barbecue foods as the weather heated up.

Soft drinks, wines, beers and spirits also sold very well compared with a much cooler May last year.

Jubilee branded products started to pick up as consumers prepared for the extended bank holiday celebrations.

Joanne Denney-Finch, chief executive of research company IGD, said: “The belated sunny weather helped May’s food and grocery sales end on a high.

“Food companies will be hoping for this momentum to continue into June as big national celebrations, such as the Jubilee, usually encourage people to splash out on food and drink.”