Retail sales have risen 0.6 pct in May, month-on-month, after predominantly food sales growth came in at one percent, whilst non-food sales showed no change, held up by strong electrical sales up 1.7 pct.

The figures come in light of the BRC (British Retail Consortium) publishings it results earlier this month with a forecast for warmer weather and the World Cup driving television and 'outdoor' sales including food for picnics.

"Year on year, the volume of retail sales in May was 2.2 per cent higher than in May 2009" read the statement on the ONS website, "Predominantly food stores decreased by 0.5 per cent while predominantly non-food stores increased by 5.4 per cent."