Sunshine in May brought the shoppers out, with like-for-like sales up 1.9 per cent from last year. However, analysts warn underlying trade remains tough.

May’s gain followed year-on-year declines in March and April, the worst since Spring 2005, the British Retail Consortium (BRC) said.

Clothing saw growth following several months of declines as consumers finally found a reason to buy a summer wardrobe after last year’s washout.

Food sales also strengthened, but furniture and homewares sales remained down from last year, as a slowing housing market continued to affect retailers.

The sunny bank holiday weather did help DIY retailers however, and gardening sales were up.

Computer games and consoles remained strong, led by Grand Theft Auto IV and Wii Fit, but book sales fell back after several good months. ‘Misery’ titles remained popular, the BRC said.

Stephen Robertson, director general of the BRC, said: “After several mostly miserable months, warm sunny weather finally arrived in early May and helped lift customers’ gloom.

“But we are not out of the woods yet. The economic fundamentals remain weak. BRC/Nielsen consumer confidence figures show the economy is the major concern for a third of people.”

A survey from the BRC released yesterday revealed three-quarters believe now is not a good time to spend on things they want or need while one in five do not have the money for discretionary spending.

The results confirm a recent GfK NOP barometer of UK confidence registered the lowest reading since November 1990 – the start of the UK’s last UK recession. Personal financial expectations fell the furthest.