Deflation shrugged off the brief return of inflation in April, returning in May at its highest level for more than a quarter.
Household furniture saw deflation of 0.8% in May, according to ONS data.
This compared with inflation of 1% in April: the first time the sector had experienced inflation since August 2025.
Garden furniture continued its run of deflation stretching back to last August, as it accelerated from 7.4% in April to 9.1% in May.
Lighting saw deflation return after April’s brief flirtation with inflation, reaching 1.6%. This is its highest level since November 2025.
