Retail Insights

Retail Insights news and updates

Retail Economics provide regular insights on UK retailing. Browse our extensive archive for insights on topics such as: Brexit, online retail developments, ONS Consumer Price Index, the outlook for UK retail, consumer sentiments and much more…

02 June 2016

BHS collapse a devastating blow to the high street

Richard Lim, Chief Executive, Retail Economics said: "The collapse of BHS is a devastating blow to the UK high street and all the employees involved.

"This once iconic British retailer suffered from paralysis when it came to innovation and it failed to stem the loss of market share to other more agile multi-... read more
19 May 2016

Household income boosted by fall in inflation

The Consumer Prices Index (CPI) fell to 0.3 per cent in April from 0.5 per cent in March – lower than consensus expectations of a 0.5 per cent rise. Air fares and clothing prices, which caused the Index to rise last month due to the earlier timing of Easter, and social housing rent, were the main contributors to the de... read more
10 May 2016

Response to BRC-KPMG Retail Sales Monitor April 2016 figures

Richard Lim, Chief Executive, Retail Economics said: “These latest figures from the BRC confirm that the retail industry is struggling to show any signs of growth.

“Faced with growing uncertainty around Brexit, a slowing labour market and increasingly fragile confidence, shoppers have cut back on discretionary... read more
10 May 2016

Brexit - A Retail Industry Perspective

It is argued that both the break with the EU, and the uncertainty associated with it, would be damaging for businesses and could undermine the UK’s economic recovery.

In reality, should Britain leave the EU, the severity of the impact would depend on the new relationship that emerges between the UK and the EU... read more
26 April 2016

UK retailers "sleep-walking into administration"

Richard Lim, Chief Executive, Retail Economics said: "The recent events at BHS and Austin Reed focuses the mind on how many other traditional UK retailers are sleep-walking into administration.

"Many of the economic factors supporting households through last year are beginning to unwind and darker clouds are... read more
04 April 2016

Is consumer spending about to lose steam?

Consumer spending has grown strongly over the last three years with the underlying backdrop for households supported by strong employment growth, record-low interest rates, low levels of inflation and rising real incomes. In addition, healthier levels of confidence have supported rising demand for borrowing, reflected... read more
24 March 2016

Inflation not expected to exceed 1 per cent in 2016

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) was positive for a fourth consecutive month in February with prices rising 0.3 per cent, year-on-year – unchanged on the previous month. Consensus expectations suggested a small rise to 0.4 per cent.

The largest downward contribution came from the transport sector, from price ch... read more
21 February 2016

Retail sales bounce back in January, but tougher times ahead

Retail sales rose by 2.2 per cent year-on-year (non-seasonally adjusted) in January according to the Retail Economics Sales Index. The three month rolling average, which provides a more accurate underlying trend, rose to +0.6 per cent, from a six-year low of 0.1 per cent in the previous period.

Retail Economi... read more
19 February 2016

Inflation edges up for third consecutive month

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) was positive for a third consecutive month in January with prices rising +0.3 per cent, year-on-year – in line with consensus expectations. The main upward pressure came from easing fuel price deflation with, despite renewed weakness in the price of oil, prices falling more aggressively t... read more
25 January 2016

Online the saviour of Christmas for UK retail

Total online sales rose by 12.1 per cent in December, year-on-year, as consumers opted for the convenience of online over visiting the high street. Average weekly online sales reached £1,149 million in December – a record high. Annual growth was down slightly on the previous month, when Black Friday supported growth,... read more

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