Brexit appears to be driving a “needs-not-wants” approach to shopping, warns BRC chief exec.
Shops suffer worst Christmas in a decade, says BRC
New figures reveal the UK retail sector experienced little festive cheer in 2018.
Experts warn Christmas could be a “season of discounts” as footfall slows
October figures showed another month reflecting the continued long-term decline in footfall.
Jewellery professionals sceptical Budget offers enough support for high street retailers
While independent jewellers welcome the Government’s small business rates relief, many believe more can be done.
What does the Budget mean for the UK jewellery industry?
Government confirms business rates relief and reveals plans to rejuvenate the high street.
Warm weather and a royal wedding spark spending spree in May
UK retail sales in May posted the highest growth since January 2014 as the warm weather and royal wedding lifted spirits and tempted Brits back into stores. According to the latest figures from the British Retail Consortium (BRC), like-for-like sales increased by 2.8% year on year in May, up from a 4.2% dip in the…
High street sees steepest drop in March footfall in eight years
The UK’s high street has experienced the most substantial decline in footfall in eight years, which dipped by 6% in March compared to last year’s 1.3% growth, for the same month. That’s according to the latest figures from the British Retail Consortium (BRC), which claimed that between February 25 and March 31 2018 there was no growth…
Government encourages retail sector to become ‘disability confident’
The government is calling retailers in the UK to sign up to its new scheme which encourages businesses to employ disabled people in their ranks. The Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work, Sarah Newton, is fronting the new campaign and believes there is significant potential for disabled people to fill some of the estimated…
Footfall declines for high streets and shopping centres in December
Footfall fell by 3.5% year-on-year in December, according to figures from the British Retail Consortium (BRC). This fall in the number of customers on the high street and in shopping centres represents the biggest decline since March 2013. In a double whammy to retailers, margins were also squeeze by higher costs, as well as cheaper prices…
Big ticket items set for festive boost
Consumers’ confidence in purchasing big ticket items has increased ahead of Christmas, retail experts reveal. According to the GfK Consumer Confidence Index, despite overall confidence being down this year, there has been an increase in shoppers willing to buy high-value items, suggesting that while consumers are nervous about the wider economic environment, they are not…
