The British Retail Consortium is the lead trade association representing the whole range of retailers, from the large multiples and department stores through to independents, selling a wide selection of products through centre of town, out of town, rural and virtual stores.
• UK retail sales rose 3.0% on a like-for-like basis, compared with September 2006, when sales were up 2.4%.
• The three-month trend rate of growth was unchanged from August, at 2.1% for like-for-like sales, and 4.0% for total sales, reflecting the continuing growth of retail space.
• The colder end to the month helped clothing and footwear sales to pick up further from a poor July. Food sales maintained August’s growth but were less good than earlier in the year. Furniture and larger homewares were weaker but health and beauty had another good month.
• Consumer confidence is being hit by interest rate rises and financial worries after the banking crisis. Consumers are now more cautious about making major purchases.
Kevin Hawkins, Director General, BRC comments:
“Sales were slightly better than anticipated for two reasons –firstly, the weather gave a much-needed fillip to the clothing and footwear sectors, but secondly and more importantly, price promotions and cuts in base prices were widespread across all sectors, resulting in an unprecedented number of buying opportunities.”
Helen Dickinson, Head of Retail, KPMG comments:
“Finally! The clothing and footwear retailers will be breathing a small sigh of relief, after a reasonable, if not delayed, start to the Autumn/Winter season."
"Performance across all sectors improved as the month progressed, but with overall like-for-like growth of 3%, the third quarter has underperformed compared with the first two quarters of the year."
"The real acid test will come in the lead up to Christmas, so there is no time for complacency - there is also no doubt that it will be challenging for many retailers, as the low growth backdrop looks set to continue. However, for the moment at least, consumer spending patterns are not being affected by the wider credit crunch issues.”
Clothing
The cold wet weather in the second half of September boosted demand for autumn/winter garments and pushed growth for the month as a whole to the best since April – albeit against a poor September last year.
Childrenswear showed the strongest growth, helped by a late back-to-school which for some continued throughout the month. As in August, menswear outperformed womenswear, achieving its best growth for almost a year.
• UK retail sales rose 3.0% on a like-for-like basis, compared with September 2006, when sales were up 2.4%.
• The three-month trend rate of growth was unchanged from August, at 2.1% for like-for-like sales, and 4.0% for total sales, reflecting the continuing growth of retail space.
• The colder end to the month helped clothing and footwear sales to pick up further from a poor July. Food sales maintained August’s growth but were less good than earlier in the year. Furniture and larger homewares were weaker but health and beauty had another good month.
• Consumer confidence is being hit by interest rate rises and financial worries after the banking crisis. Consumers are now more cautious about making major purchases.
Kevin Hawkins, Director General, BRC comments:
“Sales were slightly better than anticipated for two reasons –firstly, the weather gave a much-needed fillip to the clothing and footwear sectors, but secondly and more importantly, price promotions and cuts in base prices were widespread across all sectors, resulting in an unprecedented number of buying opportunities.”
Helen Dickinson, Head of Retail, KPMG comments:
“Finally! The clothing and footwear retailers will be breathing a small sigh of relief, after a reasonable, if not delayed, start to the Autumn/Winter season."
"Performance across all sectors improved as the month progressed, but with overall like-for-like growth of 3%, the third quarter has underperformed compared with the first two quarters of the year."
"The real acid test will come in the lead up to Christmas, so there is no time for complacency - there is also no doubt that it will be challenging for many retailers, as the low growth backdrop looks set to continue. However, for the moment at least, consumer spending patterns are not being affected by the wider credit crunch issues.”
Clothing
The cold wet weather in the second half of September boosted demand for autumn/winter garments and pushed growth for the month as a whole to the best since April – albeit against a poor September last year.
Childrenswear showed the strongest growth, helped by a late back-to-school which for some continued throughout the month. As in August, menswear outperformed womenswear, achieving its best growth for almost a year.
