The latest data released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) shows a positive trend in UK retail sales for the month of January, with an overall increase in sales volumes by 3.4%. While this indicates a rebound from the previous month’s decline, the fashion sector did not fare as well as other sectors during this period.
The rise in retail sales volumes in January marks the largest monthly increase since April 2021, but it may only serve to offset the decrease seen in December. Food stores such as supermarkets played a significant role in driving the overall sales growth, while clothing stores struggled to keep up with the pace.
Despite an increase in sales values by 3.9% in January, non-food stores like department, clothing, and household stores saw a more modest rise in sales volumes by 3%, following a sharp decline in December. The earlier holiday shopping during Black Friday in November contributed to lower sales figures in December.
In contrast, department stores and ‘other’ non-food stores experienced a notable increase in sales volumes in January, indicating a positive start to the year for some retailers. However, the fashion sector continued to face challenges, with a 1.4% decline in sales volumes even with substantial discounts offered during January sales.
Online sales also showed a decrease across various sub-sectors, with a significant drop of over 15% in the fashion sector. This decline underscores the ongoing struggles of the fashion industry compared to other retail sectors in the UK.
Overall, while there is an improvement in UK retail sales, the fashion sector lags behind in terms of sales volumes and online sales. Retailers in this sector will need to explore new strategies to attract customers and drive sales in the coming months.
For more information on UK retail sales, visit the official website of the Office for National Statistics here. You can also explore the latest trends in the fashion industry on the British Retail Consortium’s website here.
