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- 2025 -24 JanuaryEconomy
Consumer confidence drops five points in January
Consumer confidence decreased by five points to -22 in January, GfK’s latest Consumer Confidence Index has revealed. According to the Index, the measure for the general economic situation of the country during the last 12 months is down seven points to -46, which is five points lower than in January…
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21 JanuaryNews-In-Brief
Today’s news in brief-21/1/25
Aldi has announced a significant pay increase for its store assistants, setting a new minimum hourly rate of £12.71, rising to £14.00 within London’s M25 area, effective from March 1. This move reaffirms Aldi’s position as the highest-paying supermarket in the UK, exceeding the Real Living Wage standards. The retailer…
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21 JanuaryHigh Street
Shoe Zone profits fall in ‘year of two halves’
Shoe Zone has revealed that its profit before tax fell to £10.1m for the year ended 28 September 2024, down from £16.2m in the previous year. Alongside this, the company’s revenues fell to £161.3m, down from £165.7m in the same period last year. Shoe Zone stated that the decline was…
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20 JanuaryNews
Bira calls for gov action following ‘disappointing’ December sales
The British Independent Retailers Association (Bira) is calling for urgent government intervention following “disappointing” December retail figures, which show sales volumes fell by 0.3% following a modest 0.1% rise in November 2024. The figures, released by the BRC on Friday (17 January), revealed that while non-food stores such as clothing…
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15 JanuaryNews-In-Brief
Today’s news in brief-15/1/25
Inflation in the UK unexpectedly fell to 2.5% in December, marking its first decline in three months, according to the ONS. The decrease, attributed to reduced hotel and tobacco prices despite rising fuel costs, exceeded expectations, as analysts had predicted inflation would remain steady at 2.6%. While inflation remains above…
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15 JanuaryAnalysis
Is New Look right to close up shops?
The tax increases unveiled in the October 2024 budget have further complicated the outlook for retailers in the new year. One such high street retailer, New Look, which has managed to narrow its pre-tax loss to £21.7m in the year to March 2024, now faces the difficult task of balancing…
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15 JanuaryEconomy
NI increase will force retailers to raise prices, BRC warns
The British Retail Consortium (BRC) has warned that the National Insurance Increase, set to come into place this April, will force retailers to put up prices after it found that two thirds of CFOs said they will do so in response to the change. The BRC said its survey of…
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7 JanuaryHigh Street
BRC warns of 2025 falling sales volume despite December sales growth
The British Retail Consortium (BRC) has warned of possible falling sales volume in 2025 despite the modest increase in total retail sales experienced in December 2024. UK total retail sales in December 2024 increased by 3.2% year on year, against a growth of 1.9% in December 2023, according to new…
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7 JanuaryClothing & Shoes
Quiz lender hires advisors ahead of delisting vote
Quiz’s principal lender has reportedly drafted in advisors to help the company explore restructuring options amid a “growing crisis” at the retailer.According to Sky News, HSBC hired restructuring experts from Interpath Advisory ahead of a vote on delisting from the London stock market. Quiz reportedly plans to hold a shareholder…
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2 JanuaryClothing & Shoes
Quiz losses widen to £4.7m in H1
Quiz has reported an increase in pre-tax losses to £4.7m in the six months to 30 September 2024. The fashion retailer said that its “disappointing” results in part reflect the impact of inflationary pressures on consumer confidence and spending, which has led to an 8% reduction in revenues during the…
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