UK retail sales volumes fell -2.7% MoM (vs -0.5% MoM expected) and -1.3% YoY (vs 1.7% YoY expected) in May 2025, the sharpest monthly drop since December 2023 and the lowest level since December 2024.

• Food store sales volumes dropped -5.0% MoM, reversing a +4.7% MoM gain in April and marking their worst monthly fall since May 2021.
• Non-food store sales volumes declined -1.4% MoM, led by weakness in clothing and household goods.
• Online spending values fell -1.0% MoM and -2.5% YoY, though the online sales share edged up to 27.2% from 26.8% in April.
• Despite May’s decline, sales volumes rose 0.8% QoQ and 1.7% compared to the same three-month period in 2024.
• Total retail spending (online + in-store) fell -2.4% MoM in May.