Retail Insights

18 October 2016

Retail Economics Response - ONS Consumer Price Index September 2016

The Consumer Prices Index (CPI) rose by 1.0 per cent in September, the fastest in two years and ahead of expectations of a 0.9 per cent rise.

The main upward contributors to the change in the rate were rising prices for clothing, overnight hotel stays and motor fuels, and prices for gas, which were unchanged,... read more

Read More

11 October 2016

Retail Economics Response - BRC-KPMG Retail Sales Monitor September 2016

Retail sales regained some lost ground in September with total sales up 1.3 per cent, year-on-year, according to the BRC-KPMG Retail Sales Monitor. Like-for-like sales also improved on the previous month with growth of 0.4 per cent.

There are some seasonal factors to consider this month with a later back-to-... read more

Read More

15 September 2016

Next points towards price rises

Richard Lim, Chief Executive, Retail Economics said: “These latest figures from Next are unnerving (NEXT Retail profit down 16.8 per cent) and suggest British fashion retailers are facing their toughest challenge in over a decade.

“Retailers are facing rising costs resulting from the collapse in sterling, hi... read more

Read More

15 September 2016

Retail Economics Response - ONS Retail Sales August 2016

Retail sales growth (value, non-seasonally adjusted) rose by 3.8 per cent in August from 4.0 per cent in the previous month as consumers shrugged off any Brexit fears following the EU Referendum result, according to the ONS.

The ONS figures remain stronger than the BRC who reported sales falling by 0.3 per cen... read more

Read More

14 September 2016

Retail Economics Response - ONS Consumer Price Index August 2016

The Consumer Prices Index (CPI) remained at 0.6 per cent in August, unchanged on the previous month, after a 0.5 per cent rise in the previous month.

The main upward contributors to change in the rate were rising food prices and air fares, and a smaller fall in the price of motor fuels than a year ago.
read more

Read More

14 September 2016

Retail Economics Response - ONS Labour Market August 2016

Overall, this latest report showed continued strength in the labour market with firms continuing to hire ahead of the EU referendum and in the immediate aftermath. So overall, business as usual although there are clear risks that this could be the calm before the storm.

Granted, wage growth has showed signs of... read more

Read More

06 September 2016

Retail Economics Response - BRC-KPMG Retail Sales Monitor August 2016

Richard Lim, Chief Executive, Retail Economics said: “These latest figures from the BRC (total -0.3 per cent, like-for-like -0.9 per cent, change year-on-year) show that shoppers reined in spending despite a strong bounce back in consumer confidence.

"On the whole, consumers react to their personal experience... read more

Read More

22 August 2016

Shoppers defy warning of collapse in consumer confidence

Retail sales rose by 2.1 per cent year-on-year (non-seasonally adjusted) in July, according to the Retail Economics Retail Sales Index. The three month rolling average, which provides a more accurate underlying trend, showed sales rose by 1.7 per cent, the fastest growth since September 2015.

read more

Read More

19 August 2016

Retail Economics Response - ONS Retail Sales July 2016

According to the ONS, Retail sales growth (value, non-seasonally adjusted) rose by 3.6 per cent in July from 1.2 per cent in the previous month as consumers shrugged off any Brexit fears following the EU Referendum result. This is the strongest sales growth since November 2014.

The ONS figures remain stronger... read more

Read More

17 August 2016

Retail Economics Response - ONS Consumer Price Index July 2016

The Consumer Prices Index (CPI) rose to 0.6 per cent in July after a 0.5 per cent rise in the previous month. This is the highest seen since November 2014, although inflation remains low in a historical context.

The main contributors to the increase in the rate were rising prices for motor fuels, alcoholic b... read more

Read More

03 August 2016

Next paints bleak outlook for fashion retailers

Richard Lim, Chief Executive, Retail Economics said: “These latest figures from Next are simply unnerving and suggest British fashion retailers are facing their toughest challenge in over a decade.

“The wettest June on record, combined with pre-Brexit jitters, have decimated sales growth across the fashion i... read more

Read More

12 July 2016

Retail Economics Response: BRC-KPMG Retail Sales Monitor June 2016

Retail sales were subdued in June with total sales up 0.2 per cent, year-on-year, according to the BRC-KPMG Retail Sales Monitor. On a like-for-like basis sales fell by 0.5 per cent which reversed some of the declines experienced in the last quarter.

Year-to-date, total sales have risen 0.9 per cent, against... read more

Read More

21 June 2016

Consumers shrug off Brexit fears as retail sales buoyed by online shopping

Retail sales rose by 2.6 per cent in May, year-on-year (non-seasonally adjusted), according to the Retail Economics Retail Sales Index. This is the fastest growth since September 2015 and suggests that consumers have shrugged off any fears over the EU Referendum.

In the three months to May, sales rose 1.0 pe... read more

Read More

16 June 2016

Food prices continue to fall as supermarkets fight price war

The Consumer Prices Index (CPI) remained at 0.3 per cent in May for the second consecutive month – slightly below the consensus expectations of a 0.4 per cent rise. Transport, particularly motor fuels and sea fares, and Hotels were some of the main upward contributors to the headline inflation rate in May.

Th... read more

Read More

08 June 2016

“Treading water” the new norm for the Big Four

Richard Lim, Chief Executive, Retail Economics said: "Sainsbury’s latest figures are in line with expectations of a grocery market suffering from prolonged food deflation and rapidly evolving consumer habits.

"Treading water to stem the loss of market share to the discounters (Aldi and Lidl) is being hailed... read more

Read More