Retail sales down 2.5% in May

Retail sales fell by 2.5% in May compared to the previous month.

However, they were up 7.4% on the same time last year.

When car sales are excluded, retail sales fell by 2% in the month, and rose by 5.5% in the year.

Books, newspapers and stationery saw the biggest increase (+7.6%), While electrical goods (+3.2%) and bars (+1.2%) also performed well.

The biggest decreases were in food, drink, and tobacco (-4.8%), department stores (-3.9%) and hardware (-3.5%).