The value of furniture and lighting retail sales in England, Wales and Scotland saw a monthly drop of less than 2% in May, but were still ahead of 2022.
Sales dropped by 1.98% to £1,304,126,000 in April, according to Office for National Statistics data. However, this was 4.55% higher than May 2022.
Sales were 6.69% lower than May 2021; 224% higher than May 2020 and 15.77% higher than May 2019.
Of the 449 months since January 1986 when comparable records began, May was the 33rd highest month for the value of sales.
The figures are not seasonally adjusted, do not allow for inflation and are subject to revision.
