Low retail sales growth expected in 2023, says BRC

Retail sales are estimated to grow between 2.3% to 3.5% in 2023, according to new analysis by the British Retail Consortium.

The past year has been characterised by low retail sales growth which has remained below current inflation, suggesting volumes were down compared to 2021. The trend is expected to continue into 2023. According to the model, food sales growth will also continue to outperform non-food categories.

Sales are expected to pick up in the second half of 2023 as inflation slows and consumer confidence improves, with growth of 3.6% to 4.7% compared with 1% to 2.3% in the first half.

The analysis suggests that while food sales growth will fall slightly in the second half of the year, this will be at a slower rate than the anticipated decline in food inflation, meaning falls in volumes will ease over the period. Meanwhile, non-food sales will move from decline to growth.

During this second half of 2022, as inflation peaked and the cost-of-living crisis unfolded, total retail sales growth was 2.3%. However, once inflation – rising to over 11% across the economy – is accounted for, these figures represent falls in sales volumes for both food and non-food.

Kris Hamer, director of insight, at the British Retail Consortium, said: ““The first half of the year is likely to be challenging for households and retailers. Ongoing inflation will make sales appear to be rising, but we expect falling volumes as consumers continue to manage their spending.

“We also don’t see many signs at this stage of retailers’ input costs easing, with energy costs expected to rise by £7.5bn as the government’s Energy Bill Relief Scheme comes to an end in March, putting ongoing upwards pressure on prices.”

He added: “There is cause for optimism in the second half of 2023, when we expect inflation to ease and improving consumer confidence to result in an improvement to sales growth, and corresponding volumes.”