UK retail sales volumes this month have shown a year-on-year rise, but the sector is predicting a renewed drop in June, a survey has showed

The clothing, and hardware and do-it-yourself categories have driven the year-on-year rise in sales this month, according to the Confederation of British Industry’s latest monthly distributive trades survey.

However, the grocery sector has posted a sharp-year-on-year fall in sales this month.

Overall, subtracting the proportion of retailers reporting a year-on-year fall in sales volumes this month from that posting a rise, a balance of seven per cent recorded an increase.

However, a balance of five per cent of retailers predicted a year-on-year fall in sales volumes in June.

And the latest survey shows the sharpest year-on-year drop in orders placed by retailers with suppliers since March 2009.

Rain Newton-Smith, CBI director of economics, said: “A bit like the start of the British summer, it’s been a mixed bag for the retail sector this month. Whilst sales have risen a little, they are expected to fall again next month.”