Latest news with #KarenJohnson
Fashion Network
5 days ago
- Business
- Fashion Network
UK fashion, beauty strong in July but gains fail to stem rising store closures, job losses
Positive news first. Total UK retail sales increased by 2.5% year on year in July (06 July-2 August), against growth of just 0.5% seen in July 2024, and above the 12-month average growth of 1.9%. That's according to the monthly KPMG/BRC Sales Monitor. Then there's upbeat news for fashion and beauty, with Barclays Consumer Spend figures also showing clothing performed strongly last month, up 4.2%, boosted by some fine summer weather, contributing to an agreed-on 1.9% average growth in retail sales. That was clothing's greatest increase since September 2024 and comes as 16% of UK adults said they bought more summer clothes and accessories in July, while 26% said July's changeable weather impacted their spending decisions. Back at BRC/KPMG, it said non-food sales increased by 1.4% year on year in July, against a decline of 1.8% in July 2024. This was above the 12-month average growth of 0.8%. In-store non-food sales increased 1.9%, against a decline of 3% in July 2024 and above the 12-month average growth of 0.2%. It also said online non-food sales increased 0.3%, against growth of 0.3% in July 2024. This was below the 12-month average growth of 1.9%. According to Barclays, that rise in clothing sales was bettered by beauty, pharmacy & healthcare which 'performed strongly', up 9.8%, 'continuing to benefit from the enduring post-Covid 'lipstick effect', where shoppers turn to small and affordable luxuries to boost their mood', it explained. It also confirmed online retail spending (excluding groceries) grew too by 4.9%, up from 2.4% in June as shoppers made the most of discounted items and sales events, including special offers such as Prime Day (8-11 July). And the less positive news? Overall retail sales increase last month was mostly driven by food, drink and home appliances sales while the lift in sales 'isn't enough to fend off job losses and store closures', stressed the BRC. Barclays also said confidence in the strength of the UK economy dipped once again in July, falling three points month-on-month to 22%, the lowest level seen since January (21%), having reached a 2025-peak in May, at 28%. Despite this, consumers 'remain confident in their ability to live within their means'. This measure almost held firm at 75%, just one point below the 76% recorded in June. Confidence in household finances also stabilised at 72%, down only marginally from 73% in June, which was a four-month high. Karen Johnson, head of Retail at Barclays, said: 'The summer sales, changeable weather and shoppers seeking the 'feel-good factor' led to a strong July for retailers, particularly among beauty, clothing and furniture stores. 'While confidence in the UK economy remains subdued, prudent money management, supported by the growing popularity of [artificial intelligence] AI tools to help with budgeting is contributing to a continued resilience in personal and household finances.' British Retail Consortium chief executive Helen Dickinson also said: 'Fashion sold well early in the month, but deteriorated as weather worsened.'
Fashion Network
5 days ago
- Business
- Fashion Network
UK fashion, beauty strong in July but gains fail to stem rising store closures, job losses
Positive news first. Total UK retail sales increased by 2.5% year on year in July (06 July-2 August), against growth of just 0.5% seen in July 2024, and above the 12-month average growth of 1.9%. That's according to the monthly KPMG/BRC Sales Monitor. Then there's upbeat news for fashion and beauty, with Barclays Consumer Spend figures also showing clothing performed strongly last month, up 4.2%, boosted by some fine summer weather, contributing to an agreed-on 1.9% average growth in retail sales. That was clothing's greatest increase since September 2024 and comes as 16% of UK adults said they bought more summer clothes and accessories in July, while 26% said July's changeable weather impacted their spending decisions. Back at BRC/KPMG, it said non-food sales increased by 1.4% year on year in July, against a decline of 1.8% in July 2024. This was above the 12-month average growth of 0.8%. In-store non-food sales increased 1.9%, against a decline of 3% in July 2024 and above the 12-month average growth of 0.2%. It also said online non-food sales increased 0.3%, against growth of 0.3% in July 2024. This was below the 12-month average growth of 1.9%. According to Barclays, that rise in clothing sales was bettered by beauty, pharmacy & healthcare which 'performed strongly', up 9.8%, 'continuing to benefit from the enduring post-Covid 'lipstick effect', where shoppers turn to small and affordable luxuries to boost their mood', it explained. It also confirmed online retail spending (excluding groceries) grew too by 4.9%, up from 2.4% in June as shoppers made the most of discounted items and sales events, including special offers such as Prime Day (8-11 July). And the less positive news? Overall retail sales increase last month was mostly driven by food, drink and home appliances sales while the lift in sales 'isn't enough to fend off job losses and store closures', stressed the BRC. Barclays also said confidence in the strength of the UK economy dipped once again in July, falling three points month-on-month to 22%, the lowest level seen since January (21%), having reached a 2025-peak in May, at 28%. Despite this, consumers 'remain confident in their ability to live within their means'. This measure almost held firm at 75%, just one point below the 76% recorded in June. Confidence in household finances also stabilised at 72%, down only marginally from 73% in June, which was a four-month high. Karen Johnson, head of Retail at Barclays, said: 'The summer sales, changeable weather and shoppers seeking the 'feel-good factor' led to a strong July for retailers, particularly among beauty, clothing and furniture stores. 'While confidence in the UK economy remains subdued, prudent money management, supported by the growing popularity of [artificial intelligence] AI tools to help with budgeting is contributing to a continued resilience in personal and household finances.' British Retail Consortium chief executive Helen Dickinson also said: 'Fashion sold well early in the month, but deteriorated as weather worsened.'
Fashion Network
5 days ago
- Business
- Fashion Network
Fashion, beauty strong in July but gains fail to stem rising store closures, job losses
Back at BRC/KPMG, it said non-food sales increased by 1.4% year on year in July, against a decline of 1.8% in July 2024. This was above the 12-month average growth of 0.8%. In-store non-food sales increased 1.9%, against a decline of 3% in July 2024 and above the 12-month average growth of 0.2%. It also said online non-food sales increased 0.3%, against growth of 0.3% in July 2024. This was below the 12-month average growth of 1.9%. According to Barclays, that rise in clothing sales was bettered by beauty, pharmacy & healthcare which 'performed strongly', up 9.8%, 'continuing to benefit from the enduring post-Covid 'lipstick effect', where shoppers turn to small and affordable luxuries to boost their mood', it explained. It also confirmed online retail spending (excluding groceries) grew too by 4.9%, up from 2.4% in June as shoppers made the most of discounted items and sales events, including special offers such as Prime Day (8-11 July). And the less positive news? Overall retail sales increase last month was mostly driven by food, drink and home appliances sales while the lift in sales 'isn't enough to fend off job losses and store closures', stressed the BRC. Barclays also said confidence in the strength of the UK economy dipped once again in July, falling three points month-on-month to 22%, the lowest level seen since January (21%), having reached a 2025-peak in May, at 28%. Despite this, consumers 'remain confident in their ability to live within their means'. This measure almost held firm at 75%, just one point below the 76% recorded in June. Confidence in household finances also stabilised at 72%, down only marginally from 73% in June, which was a four-month high. Karen Johnson, head of Retail at Barclays, said: 'The summer sales, changeable weather and shoppers seeking the 'feel-good factor' led to a strong July for retailers, particularly among beauty, clothing and furniture stores. 'While confidence in the UK economy remains subdued, prudent money management, supported by the growing popularity of [artificial intelligence] AI tools to help with budgeting is contributing to a continued resilience in personal and household finances.' British Retail Consortium chief executive Helen Dickinson also said: 'Fashion sold well early in the month, but deteriorated as weather worsened.'
Fashion Network
5 days ago
- Business
- Fashion Network
Fashion, beauty strong in July but gains fail to stem rising store closures, job losses
Positive news first. Total UK retail sales increased by 2.5% year on year in July (06 July-2 August), against growth of just 0.5% seen in July 2024, and above the 12-month average growth of 1.9%. That's according to the monthly KPMG/BRC Sales Monitor. Then there's upbeat news for fashion and beauty, with Barclays Consumer Spend figures also showing clothing performed strongly last month, up 4.2%, boosted by some fine summer weather, contributing to an agreed-on 1.9% average growth in retail sales. That was clothing's greatest increase since September 2024 and comes as 16% of UK adults said they bought more summer clothes and accessories in July, while 26% said July's changeable weather impacted their spending decisions. Back at BRC/KPMG, it said non-food sales increased by 1.4% year on year in July, against a decline of 1.8% in July 2024. This was above the 12-month average growth of 0.8%. In-store non-food sales increased 1.9%, against a decline of 3% in July 2024 and above the 12-month average growth of 0.2%. It also said online non-food sales increased 0.3%, against growth of 0.3% in July 2024. This was below the 12-month average growth of 1.9%. According to Barclays, that rise in clothing sales was bettered by beauty, pharmacy & healthcare which 'performed strongly', up 9.8%, 'continuing to benefit from the enduring post-Covid 'lipstick effect', where shoppers turn to small and affordable luxuries to boost their mood', it explained. It also confirmed online retail spending (excluding groceries) grew too by 4.9%, up from 2.4% in June as shoppers made the most of discounted items and sales events, including special offers such as Prime Day (8-11 July). And the less positive news? Overall retail sales increase last month was mostly driven by food, drink and home appliances sales while the lift in sales 'isn't enough to fend off job losses and store closures', stressed the BRC. Barclays also said confidence in the strength of the UK economy dipped once again in July, falling three points month-on-month to 22%, the lowest level seen since January (21%), having reached a 2025-peak in May, at 28%. Despite this, consumers 'remain confident in their ability to live within their means'. This measure almost held firm at 75%, just one point below the 76% recorded in June. Confidence in household finances also stabilised at 72%, down only marginally from 73% in June, which was a four-month high. Karen Johnson, head of Retail at Barclays, said: 'The summer sales, changeable weather and shoppers seeking the 'feel-good factor' led to a strong July for retailers, particularly among beauty, clothing and furniture stores. 'While confidence in the UK economy remains subdued, prudent money management, supported by the growing popularity of [artificial intelligence] AI tools to help with budgeting is contributing to a continued resilience in personal and household finances.' British Retail Consortium chief executive Helen Dickinson also said: 'Fashion sold well early in the month, but deteriorated as weather worsened.'
Western Telegraph
14-07-2025
- Business
- Western Telegraph
Retail spending heats up in June due to warm weather
Fresh data from the British Retail Consortium (BRC) showed shopping activity swung higher for the month as sales of fans and sportswear rose sharply due to the recent hot spell and sporting events such as Wimbledon. The monthly BRC-KPMG retail sales monitor revealed that total UK retail sales increased by 3.1% in June year-on-year, compared with a 0.2% in the same month a year earlier. The soaring temperatures increased sales of electric fans while sports and leisure equipment was boosted by both the weather and the start of Wimbledon Helen Dickinson, chief executive of the BRC This was also particularly buoyed by an increase in food sales, which grew by 4.1% for the month on the back of accelerating price inflation. Recent figures from the trade group showed that food inflation increased to 3.7% in June, while fresh food was 3.2% more expensive than a year ago. The BRC found that non-food sales increased by 2.2% in June, with similar rates of growth across online and in stores. Helen Dickinson, chief executive of the BRC, said: 'Retail sales heated up in June, with both food and non-food performing well. 'The soaring temperatures increased sales of electric fans while sports and leisure equipment was boosted by both the weather and the start of Wimbledon. 'Food sales remained strong, though this was in part driven by food inflation, which has risen steadily over the course of the year.' Linda Ellett, UK head of consumer, retail and leisure at KPMG, said: 'Home appliances and homeware purchases helped retail sales to grow in June, as new homebuyers and those having a refresh in their current home took advantage of summer promotions both in-store and online.' Nevertheless, similar spending data from Barclays painted a slightly different picture, pointing towards a marginal dip in monthly spending. It reported that consumer card spending was 0.1% lower in June, as essential spending dropped for the month. Despite the warm weather, which usually boosts non-essential sectors such as retail and hospitality, consumers spent cautiously in June, prioritising value as they navigate economic uncertainty Karen Johnson, head of retail at Barclays Barclays said essential spending was down 2.1% for the month, according to its card data, despite the improvement in weather. It, however, highlighted that sporting events and festivals helped drive an uptick of non-essential spending, with entertainment, hotels and travel spending all higher. The figures also showed that furniture retailers saw a strong month, with an 8.2% increase in sales. The overall dip came despite surveyed customers indicating that their confidence about their finances is at its strongest level for four months. Karen Johnson, head of retail at Barclays, said: 'Despite the warm weather, which usually boosts non-essential sectors such as retail and hospitality, consumers spent cautiously in June, prioritising value as they navigate economic uncertainty. 'Encouragingly, entertainment, beauty and furniture stores bucked the trend, while confidence in household finances improved, showing consumers' willingness to spend on the things that matter most to them.'
