The BRC-KPMG Retail Sales Monitor is a monthly measure of the sector’s UK performance, based on data shared with the British Retail Consortium by its members. The index was initially set up by the BRC as a way for retailers to benchmark their performance against that of the wider industry, but it has evolved to become a vital measure not only of the health of British retail, but of the wider UK economy. Retail sales growth was hampered throughout most of 2020 and early 2021 by the coronavirus crisis, as government imposed lockdown measures prevented non-essential retailers from opening physical stores.
The story many were telling about the performance of the retail sector over Christmas got a bit complicated last week as the ONS released figures suggesting sales volumes were down month-on-month
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Retail sales in December inch up due to the late Black Friday trading period, but the BRC warns of possible falling sales in 2025.
New data from the British Retail Consortium shows that non-food and in-store sales were given a much-needed boost over the Black Friday weekend.
A late Black Friday meant Christmas trading got off to a frosty start this year, according to new figures from the British Retail Consortium (BRC), but IGD asserts that, “festive optimism” is still there.
Retail sales in the UK improved marginally in October as “uncertainty during the run-up to the budget” and “rising energy bills” spooked consumers.
Retail sales saw the strongest growth in six months as autumn-winter apparel and back-to-school sales drove “better than expected” non-food performance.
Retail sales saw a rise in August as shoppers spent more on food over summer, but the autumn Budget could mean consumers will become more cautious with spending.
Retail sales have seen a boost in July as shoppers spent more on food, while clothing and health and beauty saw a “better month” due to warmer weather.
A cold and wet start to summer has dampened non-food retail sales across the UK, although the start of the Euros and the summer of sport have helped with an uptick in food purchases.
UK retail sales saw only a “modest rebound” in May, according to the latest data from BRC-KPMG Retail Sales Monitor.
UK retail sales took a dip in April as “dismal weather and disappointing sales led to a depressing start to spring for retailers”, according to the latest BRC-KPMG Retail Sales Monitor.
UK retail sales increased in March driven by an early Easter, which boosted food and non-food sales ahead of the long weekend, according to the latest BRC-KPMG Retail Sales Monitor.
UK retail sales declined as consumer demand was dampened by one of the wettest Februarys on record, according to the latest BRC-KPMG Retail Sales Monitor.
UK retail sales slowed in January as “the higher cost of living continued into its third year,” according to the latest BRC-KPMG Retail Sales Monitor.
Retail saw a stores renaissance in 2023, as many shoppers returned to bricks and mortar following a surge in online shopping during the pandemic.
UK retail sales slowed in December as weak consumer confidence continued to hold back spending in the festive period, according to the latest BRC-KPMG retail sales monitor.
UK retail sales growth slowed in November as cautious consumers continue to put off Christmas spending, despite Black Friday sales starting earlier, according to the BRC-KPMG Retail Sales Monitor.
UK retail sales growth slowed in October as households are putting off their Christmas shopping until they can “grab a bargain” over Black Friday, according to the BRC-KPMG Retail Sales Monitor.
UK retail sales slowed in September as the “high cost of living continues to bear down on households”, according to the BRC-KPMG Retail Sales Monitor.
UK retail sales saw a boost in August as consumer confidence improved, marking the best month for non-food sales since February this year.
UK retail sales slowed down in the month of July as damp weather “did no favours to sales of clothing and other seasonal goods”.
