More shoppers visited stores last month as spring sunshine provided relief to retailers facing reduced spending since the US-Israel conflict with Iran began.

Data from the British Retail Consortium and a separate study by accountancy firm BDO indicated a rebound in footfall throughout May that reversed the steep fall recorded in April.

The upturn aligned with consumer confidence polls showing gains in May as buyers recovered from higher petrol and diesel costs tied to the Middle East conflict that started in late February.

BDO reported total high street sales rose 3.4 percent compared with the same month in 2025. The BRC noted a 2.6 percent drop in footfall for May versus the prior year yet this marked clear progress from the 10.7 percent year-on-year decline seen in April.

The BRC survey covering shopping centres retail parks and high street stores found high streets performed best with only a 1.7 percent fall while shopping centres posted the largest drop at 2.4 percent.

Helen Dickinson chief executive of the BRC stated that although overall UK footfall stayed below last year levels the month showed major improvement over April double-digit losses.

She noted that soaring temperatures in the final week of May kept many shoppers indoors ending hopes for a positive footfall reading.

While initial warm weather drew more visitors to stores record heat at month end caused a sharp fall in numbers especially at shopping centres and retail parks.

Only high streets resisted the downturn as people already out took the chance to visit nearby outlets she added.

A YouGov and Centre for Economics and Business Research poll this week showed consumer confidence in May rose by the largest margin since 2021. The index climbed 2.6 points to 104.9 marking the biggest gain in five years. Scores above 100 reflect positive sentiment.

YouGov attributed the brighter outlook to improved views on household finances. Perceptions of house prices also strengthened last month with the outlook index moving from 128.6 to 130.5.

The results represent the latest sign that the UK economy is performing better than expected at the outset of the US-Israel conflict with Iran.

This week the OECD forecast UK economic growth of 0.9 percent for the year a slight upgrade from the 0.7 percent projected in March. Unemployment has however risen unexpectedly to 5 percent and energy bills are set to climb sharply later.

BDO and the BRC noted retailers overall continue to face challenges from successive pressures including tax increases and global conflict though high street owners hope the World Cup this month will lift sales.

Sophie Michael head of retail at BDO said uncertainty from international conflict and rising energy prices would likely outweigh any short-term lift from summer events.

She added the longer-term outlook for retailers stays challenging with already elevated costs potentially increasing further due to the strait of Hormuz closure and higher energy prices which could prompt consumers to limit spending. Retailers welcomed this month sales growth but must prepare for ongoing difficulties ahead.