Warm weather pushes up retail sales in Great Britain as people turn to outdoor goods

The ONS says in May, online retailers did ‘particularly well selling outdoor goods and summer clothes, as the sun began to shine’. Photograph: Flashpop/Getty Images

Warmer weather and online bargains drove a surprise increase in retail sales in May after City forecasts predicted the cost of living crisis would persuade consumers to be more restrained.

Retail sales in Great Britain rose 0.3% last month after a 0.5% increase in April, continuing a bounce in spending since the beginning of the year that points to a return of consumer confidence after last September’s disastrous mini-budget.