This was the thirteenth straight month of decline in retail activity but the softest fall since September last year, as sales decreased less for food, beverages & tobacco (-6.4% vs -10% in April) and non-food products (-9.2% vs -10.1%).

Additionally, sales accelerated for automotive fuel (11.5% vs 6.6%).

On a seasonally adjusted monthly basis, retail sales rose 0.5%, recovering from a downwardly revised 0.6% drop in April.