Latest news with #MartinSartorius
Fibre2Fashion
01-08-2025
- Business
- Fibre2Fashion
UK retail sales slide for 10th month amid cost pressures: CBI
Retail sales volumes in the UK continued their downward trajectory in July, marking the tenth consecutive month of decline, according to the Confederation of British Industry (CBI). Though the pace of contraction eased slightly—with a weighted balance of -34 per cent from -46 per cent in June—retailers expect a similarly firm fall in sales next month (-31 per cent). Sales were again judged to be below seasonal norms, though less so than in June (-10 per cent vs -37 per cent). However, August expectations show a steeper seasonal shortfall (-36 per cent). Online retail offered a modest bright spot, expanding for the third month in a row at +4 per cent, with similar growth forecast for August, as per CBI Distributive Trades Survey – July 2025. Wholesale trade volumes declined at -32 per cent, broadly unchanged from June, and are projected to fall at a similar rate in August. The motor trade sector experienced the steepest fall since June 2020, with sales plunging by -77 per cent in July. Although a slight recovery is expected, another sharp drop of -57 per cent is anticipated in August. UK retail sales declined for the tenth straight month in July, down 34 per cent YoY, though the pace eased from June. Online sales rose modestly, while wholesale and motor trades also saw steep falls. Stock levels dipped below average, and supplier orders dropped at a slower rate. The CBI urged government action to boost business confidence amid ongoing cost pressures and economic uncertainty. Total distribution sales volumes, which include retail, wholesale, and motor trades, fell by -39 per cent in July, matching June's rate, and are forecast to contract slightly less at -34 per cent next month. 'Retail annual sales volumes continued to fall in July, although the pace of decline moderated from June's sharp drop. Firms reported that elevated price pressures—driven by rising labour costs—and economic uncertainty continue to weigh on household demand, which has contributed to sales volumes falling since October 2024,' said Martin Sartorius, principal economist at CBI. 'These trends of weak demand and uncertainty were mirrored across the wider distribution sector, with wholesale and motor trades also seeing declining sales.' He urged the government to take immediate steps to restore short-term business confidence by delivering a clear and supportive Autumn Budget, tackling regulatory burdens, and providing clarity on employment rights bill. Retailers also reported that supplier orders declined at a more moderate rate (-21 per cent from -51 per cent in June), with a further easing expected in August (-16 per cent). Stock levels in relation to expected demand fell below the long-run average at +12 per cent, with a similarly subdued outlook for next month (+10 per cent), added the survey. Fibre2Fashion News Desk (SG)
Yahoo
29-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
UK retail sales downturn stretches into tenth consecutive month
UK retail sales volumes experienced a drop in July 2025 marking the tenth consecutive month of decline amid subdued demand and economic uncertainty, according to the Confederation of British Industry's (CBI) monthly Distributive Trades Survey. The outlook indicates that this downward trend in annual sales volumes will continue at a similar rate into August. Retail sales volumes 'contracted at a strong rate' in July, although the pace of contraction was slow, with a weighted balance of -34% compared to -46% in June.. Retailers predict that the decline in sales will maintain a comparable pace in August at -31%. When evaluating sales against seasonal expectations, retailers considered July's performance as 'poor', but less so at -10% than in the previous month. Despite this slight improvement, projections for August suggest sales will fall further below what is typically expected for the season by -36%. Online retail sales experienced a slight increase in July, continuing a three-month trend of growth. This modest rise is expected to persist at 4% into August. CBI principal economist Martin Sartorius said: 'Firms reported that elevated price pressures – driven by rising labour costs – and economic uncertainty continue to weigh on household demand, which has contributed to sales volumes falling since October 2024. These trends of weak demand and uncertainty were mirrored across the wider distribution sector, with wholesale and motor trades also seeing declining sales.' Wholesale trade saw a decrease in sales volumes by -32% for July, maintaining nearly the same rate as observed in June (-34%). Anticipations for August forecast a similar pace of decline of -30%. The motor trade sector faced its most severe annual reduction in sales volumes since June 2020 during July at -77%, down from -37% in June, with motor traders bracing for another steep decline of -57% in August. Overall distribution sales volumes, which include retail, wholesale, and motor trades, dropped sharply in July at an unchanged rate of -39% from the previous month. The outlook for August suggests a marginally slower contraction of -34%. 'With long-term strategic ambitions outlined, the government must now seek to build shorter term confidence in its growth mission. It can do this by collaborating with business to deliver an Autumn Budget that acknowledges the burden firms are facing and sets clear policy delivery targets. This includes providing clarity on how the government will deliver its action plan to tackle regulatory barriers to growth, position businesses to invest in the people they need through a flexible Growth and Skills Levy, and find an appropriate landing zone for the Employment Rights Bill,' Sartorius stated. "UK retail sales downturn stretches into tenth consecutive month" was originally created and published by Retail Insight Network, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Fashion Network
28-07-2025
- Business
- Fashion Network
UK retail downturn stretches into 10th month, CBI says
A downturn in British retail sales extended into its 10th month in July as rising prices weighed on consumers, although the pace of the fall was less severe than in June, a Confederation of British Industry survey showed on Monday. The CBI's monthly gauge of how retail sales compared with a year earlier stood at -34 this month, an improvement on June's -46 but still a sign of weakness in demand. A measure of expected sales for August rose to -31 from -49, the CBI said. "Firms reported that elevated price pressures – driven by rising labour costs – and economic uncertainty continue to weigh on household demand, which has contributed to sales volumes falling since October 2024," Martin Sartorius, principal economist at the CBI said. Employers groups have said finance minister Rachel Reeves' decision to increase the social securitycontributions they pay for their staff, as well as an increase in the minimum wage, is contributing to higher prices. Weak demand was mirrored across the distribution sector, with wholesale and motor trades also seeing declining sales, Sartorius said. Official data published last week showed British consumers shopped more in June after May's big fall with hot weather helping to increase sales of drinks, clothes and car fuel. However, in the three months to June, sales volumes rose by 0.2%, the weakest increase since the three months to February. Many households are feeling the squeeze again from an inflation rate that rose to 3.6% in June. While the CBI's overall sales gauge remained in negative territory, online sales volume rose for a third month in a row, albeit marginally. The data was collected between June 27 and July 15 and was based on responses from 56 retailers and 91 wholesalers.
Fashion Network
28-07-2025
- Business
- Fashion Network
UK retail downturn stretches into 10th month, CBI says
A downturn in British retail sales extended into its 10th month in July as rising prices weighed on consumers, although the pace of the fall was less severe than in June, a Confederation of British Industry survey showed on Monday. The CBI's monthly gauge of how retail sales compared with a year earlier stood at -34 this month, an improvement on June's -46 but still a sign of weakness in demand. A measure of expected sales for August rose to -31 from -49, the CBI said. "Firms reported that elevated price pressures – driven by rising labour costs – and economic uncertainty continue to weigh on household demand, which has contributed to sales volumes falling since October 2024," Martin Sartorius, principal economist at the CBI said. Employers groups have said finance minister Rachel Reeves' decision to increase the social securitycontributions they pay for their staff, as well as an increase in the minimum wage, is contributing to higher prices. Weak demand was mirrored across the distribution sector, with wholesale and motor trades also seeing declining sales, Sartorius said. Official data published last week showed British consumers shopped more in June after May's big fall with hot weather helping to increase sales of drinks, clothes and car fuel. However, in the three months to June, sales volumes rose by 0.2%, the weakest increase since the three months to February. Many households are feeling the squeeze again from an inflation rate that rose to 3.6% in June. While the CBI's overall sales gauge remained in negative territory, online sales volume rose for a third month in a row, albeit marginally. The data was collected between June 27 and July 15 and was based on responses from 56 retailers and 91 wholesalers.
Fashion Network
28-07-2025
- Business
- Fashion Network
UK retail downturn stretches into 10th month, CBI says
A downturn in British retail sales extended into its 10th month in July as rising prices weighed on consumers, although the pace of the fall was less severe than in June, a Confederation of British Industry survey showed on Monday. The CBI's monthly gauge of how retail sales compared with a year earlier stood at -34 this month, an improvement on June's -46 but still a sign of weakness in demand. A measure of expected sales for August rose to -31 from -49, the CBI said. "Firms reported that elevated price pressures – driven by rising labour costs – and economic uncertainty continue to weigh on household demand, which has contributed to sales volumes falling since October 2024," Martin Sartorius, principal economist at the CBI said. Employers groups have said finance minister Rachel Reeves' decision to increase the social securitycontributions they pay for their staff, as well as an increase in the minimum wage, is contributing to higher prices. Weak demand was mirrored across the distribution sector, with wholesale and motor trades also seeing declining sales, Sartorius said. Official data published last week showed British consumers shopped more in June after May's big fall with hot weather helping to increase sales of drinks, clothes and car fuel. However, in the three months to June, sales volumes rose by 0.2%, the weakest increase since the three months to February. Many households are feeling the squeeze again from an inflation rate that rose to 3.6% in June. While the CBI's overall sales gauge remained in negative territory, online sales volume rose for a third month in a row, albeit marginally. The data was collected between June 27 and July 15 and was based on responses from 56 retailers and 91 wholesalers.
