'Dismal' month for supermarkets pushes down retail sales

UK supermarket sales contributed to a significant decline in retail sales in May, with overall sales volumes dropping by 2.7%, the largest monthly decrease since December 2023, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS). The ONS highlighted lower alcohol and tobacco sales as customers made cutbacks amid economic challenges. Additionally, government borrowing increased in May, reaching the second-highest level for that month since 1993, with a difference of £17.7bn between spending and tax income.