Agenda: Brexit debate, and Dunelm updates the market

BRC-Springboard data

Figures from the BRC-Springboard Footfall and Vacancies Monitor will be published on Monday, highlighting retail footfall and store vacancy figures for the four weeks to January 26.

Customer footfall fell 2.6% in December, making it the 13th consecutive month of decline. High streets and retail parks both suffered a 2.1% decline in footfall. Shopping centres slumped by 3.1%, making it the 21st consecutive month of decline for this sector.

BRC chief executive Helen Dickinson said: “The December results conclude a difficult year for retailers, with footfall dropping by 2.6% over the year. This continued drop, now onto its 13th month, continues to put pressure on bricks-and-mortar stores up and down the country.”

Dunelm

The homewares brand updates the market with its interim results on Wednesday. After issuing a profit warning last May the retailer bounced back over the Christmas trading period as sales increased 9% in the second quarter. Like-for-likes increased 5.9% year on year in the four months to December 29.

First-half profits are expected to come in higher than anticipated at £70m, with full-year earnings expected to beat forecasts.

Dunelm said: “Given unprecedented levels of uncertainty currently facing consumers and businesses in the UK, we remain cautious about our full-year outlook.”

Brexit debate

Thursday will see a Brexit debate in the Commons following a statement from the Prime Minister, and votes on any amendments will take place. Potential Brexit options or an extension to Article 50 will likely be voted on.

ONS retail sales data

The Office for National Statistics will publish its latest retail sales figures on Friday. 

The ONS reported that sales grew 3.1% by value and 2.6% by volume in the year to December 2018. In the last three months of 2018, sales grew 3.5% and 2.9% by value and volume compared to the same period in 2017.