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- 2025 -21 FebruaryNews-In-Brief
Today’s news in brief-21/2/25
UK retail sales saw a 1.7% rise in January 2025, driven primarily by a 5.6% surge in food sales, the largest monthly increase since March 2020, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS). Despite this rebound, sales volumes over the three months to January fell by 0.6% compared to…
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21 FebruaryEconomy
UK retail sales rise by 1.7% in January
UK retail sales volumes increased by 1.7% in January driven largely by food sales, the ONS has revealed. According to the new figures, sales volumes fell by 0.6% in the three months to January 2025, compared with the three months to October 2024, but rose by 1.4%, compared with the…
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20 FebruaryNews-In-Brief
Today’s news in brief-20/2/25
Fashion retailer Quiz has appointed administrators to its subsidiary Zandra Retail, resulting in the closure of 23 loss-making stores and the loss of around 200 jobs. Advisory firm Teneo will oversee the administration process, while Orion Retail Limited, owned by Quiz’s founding family, will acquire certain assets, including 42 stores,…
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20 FebruaryEconomy
UK consumer confidence drops to new low in February
UK consumer confidence slipped to a new low of -37 in February, amid the worsening state of the economy. According to the latest BRC-Opinium Consumer Sentiment Monitor, the economy worsened for the fifth consecutive month, down from -34 in January. The BRC reported that even Gen Z, despite being the…
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19 FebruaryNews-In-Brief
Today’s news in brief-19/2/25
Inflation in the UK reached its highest level in 10 months, hitting 3% in January 2025, up from 2.5% in December 2024, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS). Key drivers included rising air fares, private school fees, and food and drink prices. Air fares did not fall as…
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19 FebruaryClothing & Shoes
Club L London turnover doubles to £44m in 2024
Fashion retailer Club L London is targeting international expansion after turnover doubled to £44.4m during the year ended 31 March 2024. According to newly-filed accounts at Companies House, the company achieved a £29.5m turnover in 2023. The Manchester-headquartered retailer said that the increase in turnover happened despite a backdrop in…
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7 FebruaryPeople Moves
John Lewis commercial director departs after three years
John Lewis commercial director Kathleen Mitchell has left the business after joining the group three years ago. Before joining the retailer, Mitchell was managing and brand director at Accessorize for three years. She also held various senior roles at Stella & Dot and L’Oréal. In an announcement on LinkedIn, she…
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6 FebruaryEconomy
BoE cuts interest rates to 4.5%
The Bank of England (BoE) has voted to cut interest rates from 4.75% to 4.5%, the lowest level since June 2023, but warned that GDP growth has been “weaker than expected”. At its meeting this week, the bank’s monetary policy committee voted by a majority of 7–2 to reduce the…
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Jan- 2025 -31 JanuaryNews-In-Brief
Today’s news in brief-31/1/25
Homebase, the DIY retailer that collapsed into administration in November 2024, owes more than £650m to unsecured creditors, including suppliers AO World, Halfords, and The Hut. Administrator Teneo reported total unsecured claims of £657m, with £100m owed to trade creditors. Major debts include £2.9m to Close Brothers for till systems,…
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31 JanuaryDepartment Stores
John Lewis warns staff on profits amid missed sales targets
The John Lewis Partnership has fallen short of its profit targets in Q4 after both Waitrose and John Lewis “missed their sales targets” over Christmas, according to reports from The Telegraph. The partnership cited “lower consumer confidence and weaker than expected market confidence” for the softer sales in the month…
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