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.
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Jan- 2023 -23 JanuaryEconomy
Consumer confidence improves for first time in 15 months
UK consumer confidence in the final quarter of 2022 improved by half (+0.6) a percentage point, according to the latest Deloitte Consumer Tracker, marking the end of a 15-month period of consecutive decline. Deloitte said overall confidence was boosted by “significant” quarter-on-quarter improvement in sentiment towards levels of debt (+3.8…
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10 JanuaryEconomy
Retail sales rise 6.9% over Christmas
The BRC has reported that sales on a total basis increased by 6.9% in December 2022, compared with the prior increase of 2.1% in December 2021. These figures are said to be above both the three-month average growth of 4.4% and the 12-month average growth of 3.1%. Meanwhile, the UK’s…
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9 JanuaryComment
Greenwashing vs ‘Greenhushing’ – how can businesses get it right?
Greenwashing has become a popular buzzword to describe how companies potentially mislead consumers through advertising and messaging by making environmental claims about products or services that do not stand up to scrutiny. The latest casualty to face allegations of greenwashing is clothing retailer H&M, who in the US are being…
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3 JanuaryHigh Street
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…
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Dec- 2022 -23 DecemberHigh Street
Superdry secures £80m loan amid strong H1 sales
Superdry has revealed it has secured a new three-year financing facility of up to £80m that won’t expire until December 2025, as part of a trading update which also saw its group revenues surge 3.6% YOY. For the 26-week period ended 29 October 2022, the retailer’s ecommerce revenue also increased…
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21 DecemberClothing & Shoes
Paul Smith halves operating loss as FY sales surge 35%
Fashion retailer Paul Smith has almost halved its operating loss from £16.16m to £8.25m for the year ended 30 June, as its retail sales surged 35% to £97.1m. The group attributed the increase to an increase in footfall as its stores remained open and were unaffected by covid restrictions that…
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20 DecemberHealth & Beauty
Can beauty retailers remain resilient through the winter?
With endless economic and political uncertainty permeating the industry, it’s been hard to predict which category of retailers will fare better than others, but one thing is certain: the health and beauty industry has weathered the storm better than others. Most recently, THG reported “stable and consistent” consumer trading during…
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20 DecemberHigh Street
Shop prices surge to record highs
Shop Price annual inflation accelerated to 6.6% in October, up from 5.7% in September, according to the latest BRC and Nielsen tracker. This is above the three-month average rate of 5.5%, marking another record for shop price inflation since this index started in 2005. Food inflation accelerated strongly to 11.6%…
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16 DecemberEconomy
Consumer confidence remains at ‘historic lows’ in December
GfK’s Consumer Confidence Index increased by only two points in December to -42, with confidence still sitting at “historic lows”. This marked the eighth month in a row in which the Index has remained at around -40 or lower, the first time this has happened since the GfK’s records began…
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12 DecemberClothing & Shoes
M&Co appoints administrators
M&Co has fallen into administration after struggling with rising input costs as well as lower consumer confidence in recent months. Adele MacLeod, Gavin George Scott Park and Robert James Harding of Teneo Financial Advisory Limited were appointed joint administrators on 9 December, a statement on the retailer’s website confirmed. According…
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