UK retail sales rise in May, with spending boosted by warmer weather, according to figures cited by the British Retail Consortium (BRC) and KPMG. Total retail sales increase by 3.7% year-on-year, outperforming the 12-month average rise of 2%. Multiple outlets report that the heatwave influences shopping behaviour, with consumers buying seasonal products associated with outdoor and summer activities. Coverage highlights higher demand for items such as barbecue food as well as summer clothing and accessories, including sandals and sunglasses. The reports present the year-on-year growth as the overall topline measure for the month, while describing category trends that align with the heatwave. No additional causes beyond the weather-driven shift in consumer demand are attributed in the available accounts. Overall, the sources agree that May delivers stronger retail performance than the recent average and that summer-related product categories see particular benefit during the period.