According to the BDO High Street Sales Tracker, homewares sales across UK retailers were buoyed by the improved weather in May and Jubilee shoppers' lifted spirits.

Mid-tier retailers were up 1.3% year-on-year, and while non-fashion retailers' sales were flat, the sector posted growth of 0.8%.

BDO LLP national head of retail and wholesale Don Williams said retailers have had to learn to draw in shoppers through a constant drip of promotions.

"Once again we've seen promotional activity play a lead role in stimulating demand" he said. "For the best this is carefully planned, not knee jerk, broad and deep discounting. Clearly it will eat into margins, but retailers know promotions now tend to lead demand at least as much as seasonal buying patterns."

Mr Williams also warned against relying on a summer sales bonanza.

"Although the sunshine, Diamond Jubilee and Olympics will undoubtedly spark a feelgood factor, this is bound to be dampened by the continued economic uncertainty both here and abroad. In this type of environment, people will stick to what they know and that means trusted brands and attractive promotions."

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