Thursday, September 19, 2024

Fashion lags behind as June retail sales return to growth

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June marked the second successive positive month for total retail sales, following five months of negative results.

The growth was primarily driven by online sales, which increased by 9.8%, partially off-setting the weak in-store sales growth of 1.8%.

The fashion sector lagged behind lifestyle and homeware, with in-store fashion retail sales falling by 6.7%.

Online fashion sales increased by 9.9%, with total retail sales for the fashion category inching up by 0.9%.

By comparison, homeware and lifestyle saw an overall increase of 3% and 7.5%, respectively.

BDO head of retail and wholesale Sophie Michael said: “Despite strong growth in online sales, the performance on the high street continues to be very disappointing. The latter half of the month saw much warmer weather, but this failed to drive footfall onto the high street and into stores.

“Fashion retailers will be particularly concerned that they have now recorded negative sales on the high street for 10 months in a row.

“The new government has pledged to breathe new life into Britain’s high streets, with a five-point plan for bringing consumers back into town and city centres. For the UK’s struggling retail sector, this rejuvenation plan cannot come quickly enough.”

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