ArticalExpo
British Retail
Consortium survey finds high-street spending rose 3.6% in March but says
overall retail environment is 'difficult'
The clothing sector and non-food
generally benefited from the warm March weather. But consumers’ incomes
are still squeezed. Photograph: Alamy
Warm days in March gave British men the shopping bug, boosting
high-street spending, according to the British Retail Consortium's
monthly health check.
While women seemed wary of parting with cash, shops selling clothes, footwear and outdoor leisurewear noted an increase in activity that contributed to a rise in sales of 3.6% compared with March 2011.
The British Retail Consortium said the year-on-year rise was more modest once the expansion in floor space over the past year was taken into account. It was cautious about reading too much into the figures for one month.
The industry body said its monthly survey, with KPMG, showed like-for-like sales were up by 1.3%, though consumers were still cautious about spending on big-ticket items.
Stephen Robertson, the BRC's director general, said: "The unusually warm weather in March brought some welcome sunshine into the lives of non-food retailers. The early signs of summer got people buying clothes and shoes for the new season. Gardening items and outdoor leisure also saw a lift."
Although the retail sector hopes the Queen's diamond jubilee and the 2012 Olympics will encourage spending, Robertson described the overall retail environment as difficult.
He added: "Discounting remains a key tactic for retailers trying to encourage consumers to spend, particularly on big indoor items. People are still struggling to balance household budgets against expensive fuel and utilities. It will take more than a week of sunshine to transform retailers' fortunes."
Food sales were unchanged last month on a year earlier, and Robertson said turnover growth in the sector was largely underpinned by the rising cost of food rather than by customers buying more.
Helen Dickinson, KPMG's head of retail, said: "The clothing sector as a whole and non-food generally benefited from the warm March weather. But, as consumers' incomes continue to be squeezed, it's female shoppers who are tightening their purse strings most severely, focusing more on lower-price items to control the household budget. This buying behaviour saw women's clothing perform less strongly than men's and children's wear. Home accessories and textiles also had a poor month."
While women seemed wary of parting with cash, shops selling clothes, footwear and outdoor leisurewear noted an increase in activity that contributed to a rise in sales of 3.6% compared with March 2011.
The British Retail Consortium said the year-on-year rise was more modest once the expansion in floor space over the past year was taken into account. It was cautious about reading too much into the figures for one month.
The industry body said its monthly survey, with KPMG, showed like-for-like sales were up by 1.3%, though consumers were still cautious about spending on big-ticket items.
Stephen Robertson, the BRC's director general, said: "The unusually warm weather in March brought some welcome sunshine into the lives of non-food retailers. The early signs of summer got people buying clothes and shoes for the new season. Gardening items and outdoor leisure also saw a lift."
Although the retail sector hopes the Queen's diamond jubilee and the 2012 Olympics will encourage spending, Robertson described the overall retail environment as difficult.
He added: "Discounting remains a key tactic for retailers trying to encourage consumers to spend, particularly on big indoor items. People are still struggling to balance household budgets against expensive fuel and utilities. It will take more than a week of sunshine to transform retailers' fortunes."
Food sales were unchanged last month on a year earlier, and Robertson said turnover growth in the sector was largely underpinned by the rising cost of food rather than by customers buying more.
Helen Dickinson, KPMG's head of retail, said: "The clothing sector as a whole and non-food generally benefited from the warm March weather. But, as consumers' incomes continue to be squeezed, it's female shoppers who are tightening their purse strings most severely, focusing more on lower-price items to control the household budget. This buying behaviour saw women's clothing perform less strongly than men's and children's wear. Home accessories and textiles also had a poor month."
Posted in: 
.jpg)
0 comments:
Post a Comment