Retail Insights

The latest labour market data from the ONS shows the number of people in work fell back in the three months to August, compared with the previous quarter. However, the number of people aged from 16 to 64 years old that are either unemployed or economically inactive (not working and not seeking nor available to work)... read more

Four & 12 weeks to 5/6 October 2019

Grocery sales growth rose 1.7%, year-on-year, in the four weeks to 5 October, according to the latest figures from Nielsen. This is a slowdown from the previous month when grocery sales rose 2.2%.

Volumes continued to fall during the perio... read more

The latest RICS Residential Survey released this morning reports the lowest number of homes for sale in three years, with a stand-off between buyers and sellers as Britain nears a pre-Brexit pinch point again.

Instructions for new listings plunged to -37% in September, marking the weakest reading since mid... read more

UK gross domestic product (GDP) grew 0.3% in the three months to August following a 0.1% rise in the previous three-month period. Services was the main driver to growth on a three-month rolling basis, rising 0.4%. Construction also posted a marginal rise (0.1%) while Production fell 0.4%.

Monthly GDP for A... read more

Remainers twice as likely to cut back in the golden quarter as Brexit uncertainty bites

As we enter the all-important golden quarter for the retail industry, uncertainty over Brexit continues to plague consumer confidence with attitudes towards Brexit having divided the nation.

... read more

The latest BDO High Street Sales Tracker shows that overall like-for-like (LFL) sales declined 0.7% year-on-year in September, from a broadly flat 0.3% rise a year earlier, as physical stores suffered the deepest decline in eight years. 

While total non-store LFL sales rose 12.4% in the five weeks to... read more

Sustainability appears to be the hot topic of the moment. Its far-fetching tentacles deeply permeate society on all levels; and now has a firm squeeze on the retail industry. The question is: are consumers really that concerned? Our research found that almost two-thirds of consumers would choose a brand wit... read more

Activity in mortgage markets slowed in August, following a strong rise in July, according to the latest Bank of England figures. Indeed, the monthly change in the additional amount households borrowed slipped to £3.9bn, with the annual growth rate of secured lending remaining at 3.2%.

Mortgage approv... read more

GDP fell by 0.2% in Q2 2019 from the previous quarter, unrevised from the previous estimate. This followed an upwardly revised 0.6% rise in Q1 2019, which was partly a result of stockpiling ahead of the original Brexit deadline.

Compared with the same quarter a year ago, the UK economy grew by 1.3%, down f... read more

GfK’s Consumer Confidence measure edged up two points to -12 in September, following the decision to suspend Parliament at the start of the month.

While overall confidence is still firmly negative and three points lower than a year ago, all five components in the measure improved month-on-month in Se... read more

Retail sales (value, non-seasonally adjusted, excluding fuel) rose by 2.8% year-on-year in August 2019, according to the latest figures from the ONS. This is down on the 3.8% rise in the previous month and well below the 4.9% rise in July 2018.

In volume terms, retail sales rose by 2.2% on last year (seaso... read more

Visa's UK Consumer Spending Index declined for an eleventh month in August, down by 1.3% year-on-year, with the pace of slowdown broadly in line with recent months.

Spending volumes fell in six of the eight broad categories in August. Clothing & Footwear remained weakest (-6.4% year-on-year, the fa... read more

Four & 12 weeks to 7/8 September 2019

Grocery sales growth rose in the four weeks to 7 September, up 2.2%, year-on-year, according to the latest figures from Nielsen. The heatwave over the late Bank Holiday weekend in August supported sales growth with barbecue equipment proving popular... read more

In appointing his Cabinet, the new Prime Minister Boris Johnson made far-reaching changes that shifted the government decisively towards a rapid conclusion of the Brexit process, potentially leaving on 31 October 2019 without a deal if so required.

However, an alliance of opposition parties and (now former... read more

The latest RICS Residential Survey reported a weakening in sentiment, particularly on a near-term basis, as Brexit continues to weigh on the confidence of both buyers and sellers. Indeed, new buyer enquiries fell back to +3% in August after demonstrating an uplift in the previous two months.

Furthermo... read more