According to the latest data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), fashion and pre-owned items played a vital role in driving the growth of the UK retail sector in October. The report revealed that both retail sales volumes and sales by value increased during the month. On a month-on-month basis, retail sales volumes rose by 0.8%, while sales by value saw a growth of 1.6%. What’s more, both volumes and value sales were significantly higher compared to pre-pandemic levels in February 2020, with volumes up by 5.8% and value sales up by 8.9%.
The standout performer in the retail sector was the non-food category, which experienced a 4.2% increase in sales volumes. Within this category, clothing stores stood out with a substantial growth of 6.2% in sales volumes. In fact, clothing stores were the only main retail sector to witness an increase in sales volumes. The figures for October 2021 showed that clothing store sales volumes were just 0.5% below pre-pandemic levels. Retailers attribute this growth to early Christmas trading, which had a positive impact on sales.
While it is important to consider that the increase in value sales may have been influenced by inflation, the expanding volume of sales indicates that consumers are slowly returning to their usual shopping habits, with a potential added focus on sustainability and conscious consumption post-pandemic. The sub-sector of “other non-food stores,” which includes second-hand goods, experienced a significant month-on-month increase of 7.2% in sales volumes. This growth was largely driven by the demand for pre-owned items.
The ONS report also highlighted the top items purchased or pre-ordered earlier than usual for Christmas this year, which included toys, clothes, shoes, and accessories. However, not all sectors saw positive growth. Department stores, for instance, witnessed a modest increase in monthly sales volumes of 0.6%, but they still remained 2.8% below their February 2020 levels.
Online retail accounted for 27.3% of all retail sales in October, although overall sales experienced a year-on-year decrease of 8.2% and a month-on-month decrease of 0.6%. This decline can be attributed to consumers’ growing willingness to shop in physical stores once again. Department stores’ online sales mirrored their brick-and-mortar performance, with a 17.4% decline compared to the previous year and a 1% decline compared to September. However, e-sales in the textiles, clothing, and footwear category saw growth, with a 0.6% increase year-on-year and a 1.2% increase month-on-month. E-commerce sales accounted for 26.4% of the total textiles, clothing, and footwear store sales.
Overall, the data suggests positive trends in the UK retail sector, with fashion and pre-owned items playing a significant role in driving growth. Consumers’ renewed shopping habits and the growing emphasis on sustainability are contributing factors to this positive performance. Although some sectors, such as department stores, are still struggling to regain their pre-pandemic levels, the industry as a whole is showing signs of recovery. With the holiday season approaching, retailers remain optimistic about the continuation of these positive trends.
For more information on the latest trends in the UK retail sector, you can visit the Office for National Statistics (ONS) website: https://www.ons.gov.uk
To explore sustainable fashion and pre-owned items in the UK, you may find the following link useful: https://www.thredup.com
