Consumer Confidence
This coverage explores trends and insights into consumer confidence and their impact on the UK retail sector. Reporting includes survey data, economic indicators, shopper sentiment, and analysis of how confidence levels influence spending patterns, sales performance, and strategic planning. Designed for retail executives and managers, it provides context for understanding demand fluctuations and preparing for market challenges.
-
Jul- 2025 -17 JulyHigh Street
Dunelm Q4 sales rise amid Spring heatwave
Dunelm has revealed that its sales rose 4% to £415m for the 13 weeks ended 28 June 2025, driven by the Spring heatwave. Overall, the homeware retailer has seen its full year sales increase 3.8% to £1.77bn. As a result the company expects its full-year gross margin to be up…
Read More » -
17 JulyDepartment Stores
Frasers warns of £50m budget hit despite FY25 profit rise
Frasers has seen pre-tax profits rise by 2.8% to £560.2m in its full-year results, but has warned it faces over £50m in extra costs caused by last year’s budget. In the year ended 27 April 2025, trading was particularly strong in the second half, where profits were up by 8.3%,…
Read More » -
15 JulyFeatures
From darling to downfall: what went wrong at Seraphine
Seraphine, once the darling of maternity fashion, has collapsed into administration. Known for its stylish bump-friendly dresses and famously worn by the Princess of Wales during her pregnancies, the brand entered administration this July, shuttering operations and making most of its staff redundant. For a label that grew from a…
Read More » -
8 JulyClothing & Shoes
Seraphine enters administration after sales slump
Maternity fashion retailer Seraphine has ceased trading and entered administration, with most of its 95 employees made redundant. It comes after the retailer officially appointed Will Wright and Chris Pole from consultancy firm Interpath as joint administrators yesterday (7 July). According to the administrators, they are now exploring options for…
Read More » -
Jun- 2025 -23 JuneClothing & Shoes
River Island to shut 33 stores with hundreds of jobs at risk
River Island is reportedly planning to shutter 33 shops as part of a restructuring plan that would see hundreds of jobs at risk, Sky News has reported. The family-owned group, which currently operates around 230 stores, confirmed the proposals on Friday (20 June) following reports that it was working…
Read More » -
20 JuneEconomy
Young adults lift UK consumer confidence despite economic concerns
Consumer confidence in the UK rose modestly in June, buoyed by optimism among younger age groups despite continuing concerns over inflation and global instability, according to new data from GfK. The research firm’s long-running Consumer Confidence Index increased by two points to -18, with improvements in views of the wider…
Read More » -
19 JuneFeatures
The price of stars: what the DMCC Act means for fake reviews
At one point online reviews used to be a grey area, but with the arrival of the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024, the UK has taken a decisive step into a new enforcement regime. Fake reviews, paid praise, and review hijacking, which have long been brushed off as…
Read More » -
10 JuneFeatures
Why the mood economy is shaping the retail landscape
Retail therapy is nothing new. For decades, shoppers have found comfort in the act of buying here and there to lift their mood, mark a moment, or simply to reclaim a sense of control. But lately something feels different in Britain’s buying habits, and it runs deeper than the occasional…
Read More » -
10 JuneEconomy
Retail sales rise 1% in May despite low non-essential spending
Total retail sales rose by 1% year-on-year in the four weeks to 31 May, up from 0.7% in the same period last year, despite customers cutting back on non-essential purchases, according to new figures from the British Retail Consortium (BRC). It comes as consumer confidence had risen in May, supported…
Read More » -
9 JuneClothing & Shoes
River Island owners prepare rescue plan amid tough market conditions
High street fashion brand River Island has reportedly appointed advisers from PwC to draft a restructuring plan amid tough trading conditions, which could result in store closures and job losses, according to Sky News. Sources revealed to the outlet that although no definitive decisions have been made about the company’s…
Read More »
