Core retail sales in the United Kingdom accelerated sharply in May 2026, with year-over-year growth rising to 4.6%, up from 1.1% in April 2026. The data, updated on 19 June 2026, indicate a marked strengthening in underlying consumer spending compared with the same month a year earlier.
The figures are reported on a year-over-year basis, meaning the May 2026 reading measures the change in core retail sales versus May 2025, while the previous 1.1% figure for April reflects the change versus April 2025. The jump from April to May suggests a notable rebound in demand for goods excluding more volatile components, pointing to firmer momentum in the UK’s consumer sector as the second quarter progresses.
