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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Feb- 2021 -1 FebruaryCoronavirus
New lockdowns edge consumer confidence to near-record low
The final quarter of 2020 saw consumer confidence fall by 1%, to a near-record low -17%, according to the latest Deloitte Consumer Tracker. It found with the exception of personal finances, all other measures of confidence were below year-on-year comparisons, with ‘health and wellbeing’, and ‘children’s education and welfare’ categories…
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Dec- 2020 -9 DecemberSupermarkets
UK sees grocery boom as shoppers hit stores early
Grocery sales rose by 11.3% in the 12 weeks ended 29 November 2020, the fastest rate of growth since August, according to the latest grocery market share figures from Kantar. It comes as consumers have reportedly started their Christmas shopping early this year in preparation for the festive season. In…
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Nov- 2020 -17 NovemberEconomy
Consumer confidence falls with Covid restrictions
Consumer confidence in the UK has dropped significantly with the introduction of further pandemic restrictions, according to new data from PwC. Recent measures to combat the spread of Covid-19 have seen consumer sentiment fall from -1 in to -10 in October. This is the sharpest decline since the initial lockdown…
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6 NovemberCoronavirus
October retail recovery reverses with new lockdown
Despite UK retailers seeing an economic recovery in October, a second national lockdown in England risks reversing the sector’s financial progress. According to BDO, with non-essential retail back on lockdown from yesterday (5 November) until the beginning of December, the “most critical season of the year is now under threat…
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Sep- 2020 -7 SeptemberComment
Rethinking your staffing requirements to survive the recession
With a new CBI survey revealing the highest level of retail job cuts since the 2009 crisis, lockdown restrictions, a lack of consumer confidence and less spending power continues to hit Britain’s high streets hard. While some businesses have remained resilient and are now back trading under revised conditions, a…
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Aug- 2020 -25 AugustDepartment Stores
DFS trading remains ‘strong’ despite lockdown
DFS announced today it is continuing to trade “strongly” both online and in showrooms despite the economic downturn, with year-on-year intake growth over the last six weeks that is equivalent to approximately £70m of revenues. This trading is “significantly” ahead of the furniture retailer’s initial expectations, with its previously announced…
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11 AugustCoronavirus
Retail sales rise for second month in a row
Total sales increased by 3.2% in July, against an increase of 0.5% in July 2019, marking the second consecutive month of growth since the start of the pandemic. According to the latest BRC-KPMG retail sales monitor, UK retail sales increased by 4.3% in the month against the year prior, following…
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Jul- 2020 -3 JulyEconomy
Consumer confidence increases in June
GfK’s fourth Covid-19 flash report has revealed Consumer Confidence Index increased by three points to -27 over the past two weeks. Joe Staton, GfK‘s client strategy director, said after the recent “near-historic low” of -36 for the Consumer Confidence Barometer last month, there are some early signs of improvement…
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Jun- 2020 -30 JuneCoronavirus
Reopening is ‘no magic bullet’ for retail, says BRC
Reopening is “no magic bullet” for retail, the British Retail Consortium has warned despite UK footfall improving since lockdown restrictions were lifted earlier this month. The BRC’s footfall tracker found that UK footfall decreased 53.4% year-on-year during the second week of reopening in England and NI. This is compared to…
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26 JunePeople Moves
Card Factory CEO announces departure
Card Factory has announced the departure of CEO, Karen Hubbard, after four years in the role. During her time as CEO, Hubbard supported the transition of Card Factory from a recently listed company to an established plc. Prior to joining the card retailer, Hubbard held senior positions at B&M Retail,…
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