UK retail sales showed a sharp turnaround in May 2026, according to the latest BRC Retail Sales Monitor. Year-over-year sales growth accelerated to 3.4% in May, a marked reversal from April 2026, when the indicator stood at -3.4% compared with the same month a year earlier.
The data, updated on 8 June 2026, highlight a significant shift in consumer spending patterns within just one month. The current reading measures the change in sales this May versus May a year ago, while the previous figure reflected April sales against April a year earlier. The move from contraction to growth suggests that some of the pressures that weighed on retailers earlier in the spring may be easing, offering a more positive backdrop for the sector heading into the summer trading period.
