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.
-
Dec- 2018 -17 DecemberClothing & Shoes
Asos issues profit warning after tough November trading
Online fashion retailer Asos has issued a profit warning due to its performance in November coming in “significantly behind” expectations. This is despite a 14% sales increase in its first quarter trading and September and October coming in “broadly in line” with expectations. However economic uncertainty plus weaker consumer confidence…
Read More » -
14 DecemberSupermarkets
Grocery market growth cools as Christmas nears
Grocery market share figures have cooled in the lead up the Christmas, growing only 2% for the 12 weeks to 2 December 2018, its slowest rate since March 2017. According to the Kantar Worldpanel consumers are benefiting from falling inflation, which now stands at 1.6%, and is less than half…
Read More » -
3 DecemberComment
International shoppers could be the answer to UK retailers’ woes
New data from Planet, an international payments provider, suggests that international shoppers could bring glad tidings for UK retailers in the lead up to the crucial winter trading period. The influx of tourists coming to the UK last month meant that tax free sales declines eased to 6%, marking a…
Read More » -
Nov- 2018 -30 NovemberEconomy
Consumer confidence drops marking ‘season of uncertainty’
Market research firm GfK’s latest Consumer Confidence Index has shown that confidence decreased by three points in November 2018 to -13. There were declines recorded across all five measures used to calculate the Index including general economic situation and personal financial situation. The index measuring changes in personal finances during…
Read More » -
20 NovemberHigh Street
UK sales predicted to grow 4% in December
New research predicts that December’s retail sales will reach £47.7bn, growing 4% when compared with last year when sales hit £45.8bn. According to global market research firm Mintel, sales through non-food retailers are expected to reach £23.5bn (including £4bn from online sales generated by physical stores), while food retailers could…
Read More » -
9 NovemberHigh Street
October footfall ‘wobble’ sparks fresh concern for UK high street
October saw a 7.4% drop in UK store visits, the biggest year-on-year drop since July, while average weekly footfall was down 2.9% compared with September. According to Ipsos Retail Performance’s latest Retail Traffic Index (RTI) the areas with the highest decline in store visits were south west England and Wales,…
Read More » -
1 NovemberEconomy
600 jobs at risk as Crawshaws enters administration
Meat retailer Crawshaws has announced it has entered administration, putting 600 jobs at risk across its 42 stores. A Crawshaws spokesperson told Retail Sector that the company blamed its financial woes on “increasing competitor pressures on the high street”, namely “discount activity from the likes of Aldi and Lidl”. According…
Read More » -
Oct- 2018 -31 OctoberHigh Street
‘Brexit anxieties’ lead to decrease in consumer confidence in October
Growth from Knowledge’s (GfK) long-running consumer confidence index decreased by one point to -10 in October 2018, amid consumer anxieties over Brexit. The market research institute said the lack of confidence from shoppers will “concern retailers” in the run-up to Black Friday, Cyber Monday and the key Christmas trading period,…
Read More » -
12 OctoberHigh Street
Hamleys reports £12m sales loss amid ‘most challenging year in retail history’
Toy retailer Hamleys has reported a sales loss of £12m for the full year to 31 December 2017. According to the the latest figures revenues dropped 2.5% to £66.3m and net assets also decreased by £11.7m, as well as an EBITDA loss of £4.7m. The group said 2017 was one…
Read More » -
Aug- 2018 -31 AugustHigh Street
UK consumer confidence jumps three points in August to -7
The GfK’s long-running consumer confidence index showed an increased of three points to -7 in August 2018. The index which measures changes in personal finances during the last 12 months has also increased by three points this month to +4, two points higher compared with the same period time last…
Read More »
