Grocery store sales remain higher than pre-pandemic levels
Retail sales fell 1.4% between April and May as UK consumers spent money in supermarket restaurants and bars.
The National Bureau of Statistics (ONS) has revealed that sales have been declining, especially at food shops, as people relaxed lockdown restrictions by eating out with friends.
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Meanwhile, as sales in non-food stores increased, more people were buying outdoor furniture. As consumers returned to physical stores, the number of online sales fell as a percentage of overall sales.
ONS confirmed that online sales have been declining for the third consecutive month, but added that it is above 50% above the level seen in February before the pandemic.
Reuters reported that economists polls predicted an average increase in retail sales by 1.6%, with only three of the 19 predicting a fall.
At grocery stores, sales fell by 5.7%, and Tesco reported a slower growth in underlying sales in the first quarter.
“Anexual evidence suggests that relaxation of hospitality restrictions has affected sales as people have returned to eating and drinking in places like restaurants and bars,” ONS said. .
However, despite the decline, grocery stores’ sales remain higher than pre-pandemic levels as sales in May this year were 2.6% higher than in February 2020.
“Feedback from retailers suggested that sales were negatively affected in May due to both reopening of all retail sectors and relaxing hospitality restrictions. Reporting monthly declines with specialist alcoholic beverage retailers Added cigarettes that are being used.
