Home retailers such as Dunelm were “particularly impacted” as activity ground to a halt, according to Jefferies retail trends barometer, which monitors search data and general web traffic.
Across the companies analysed, readings slowed from negative 2% in April to negative 9% in May year-on-year.
This slowdown was more evident to see towards the end of the month, with the first two weeks of May recording a negative 5% reading.
Despite retailers B&M and Pets at Home posting positive updates in May, Jefferies is “adopting a more wary stance regarding current trading trends.”
Home retailers such as Dunelm and ScS experienced strong slowdowns, down 15.1% and 27.6% year-on-year.
Electrical trends also continue to decline, with white goods retailer AO World running at around negative 35% on Jefferies barometer.
Currys also continued to see declines in its barometer, down 30% on average.
While the readings are obviously not positive, “it is consistent with the strategic shift towards profitability” with both companies posting profit upgrades in recent months.