October saw a decline in UK fashion sales as unseasonably mild weather delayed winter shopping.
- Total retail sales in the UK rose by only 0.6% compared to a 2.6% increase last year, according to BRC and KPMG.
- Non-food sales were notably affected, showing a decrease of 0.1% year on year over the three months to October.
- Online shopping for non-food items saw a minor increase, pushing the online penetration rate to 36.9%.
- Market experts suggest that upcoming November sales might provide a rebound due to factors like Black Friday.
October marked a setback for UK fashion retailers as unseasonably mild weather led to a decline in winter clothing purchases. The British Retail Consortium (BRC) reported that total retail sales only saw a modest rise of 0.6% year on year, a significant drop from the 2.6% growth observed during the same period the previous year.
The overall retail environment showed nuanced performance, with non-food sales experiencing a slight decline of 0.1% year on year over the three months up to October. This was still an improvement over the 1.0% decline recorded in October 2023. Notably, in-store non-food sales fell by 1.2%, contrasting with a minor rise of 0.4% in online non-food sales, which pushed the online penetration rate to 36.9%, slightly above the 36.2% recorded the preceding October.
Chief Executive of the BRC, Helen Dickinson, noted the unexpected impact of weather on sales: “After a good start to Autumn, October’s sales growth was disappointing.” She pointed out that the delayed school half term and consumer caution surrounding Budget discussions also played roles in dampening sales figures for the month.
Furthermore, Linda Ellett from KPMG highlighted that although growth had not maintained the pace seen in September, retailers were optimistic about a recovery in November. Factors such as Black Friday promotions and the previously postponed half term break could potentially invigorate consumer spending in the coming weeks.
While fashion suffered, the health and beauty sector thrived, with products like beauty advent calendars remaining popular among consumers, indicating varied consumer priorities amid fluctuating economic confidence.
The retail sector anticipates a return to stronger growth in November as conditions potentially become more favourable.
