Warm weather boosts above average seasonal sales for retailers - CBI

While a heat wave is taking hold of the UK, the higher-than-average temperatures seem to have had a positive impact on shoppers, according to the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) with retailers benefitting from above-average seasonal sales and improved order volumes growth.

In the year to June since September 2017, the UK’s retail sales demonstrated growth at the fastest pace, based on the CBI’s latest monthly Distributive Trades Survey (DTS).  

Online fashion retailers boohoo and boohooMAN have created an exclusive capsule collection set – the "Love is Love" collection is is a capsule designed to empower, embrace, support and celebrate love in all of its forms. Featuring a total of 30 pieces spanning ready-to-wear and accessories, the collection is subtle in design yet vocal in its message. Gender neutrality is at the forefront of this collaboration with each design available in various colourways, tones, fits and sizes. Purple, pink, blue and grey form the base of the range while an edit of the collection celebrates Pride through the use of the rainbow flag. Slogan prints play a huge part in the messaging behind the collection.

In particular, internet sales grew at a faster rate than the long-run average for the first time since January 2018 (although retailers expect growth to ease slightly in the year to July).

The survey conducted between 29 May and 13 June 2018, consisting of 106 firms (of which 45 retailers), also revealed that sales volumes were well above average for the time of year, following three months when they were below seasonal averages.   Additionally, the survey reported a jump in growth in the volume of orders placed on suppliers.

Retail sales growth was fairly broad-based across retail sub-sectors, with the pick-up in June driven particularly by a rise in non-store sales, department stores, durable household goods, and “other” normal goods. Grocers and hardware & DIY stores also fared well, reporting robust sales. Meanwhile, carpet & furniture stores and clothing retailers saw a drop in sales volumes in the year to June.

Anna Leach, CBI Head of Economic Intelligence, said:“Higher-than-average temperatures seem to have had a positive impact on shoppers, with retailers benefitting from above-average seasonal sales and improved order volumes growth. While today’s findings will bring some summer cheer to retailers, underlying conditions for the sector remain challenging – household spending remains under pressure from the slow recovery in real wage growth and the sector is still grappling with key structural changes like digital transformation.”   

Looking ahead, retailers expect growth in sales volumes and orders placed on suppliers to ease in the year to July. 

Elsewhere in the distribution sector, wholesalers reported flat sales volumes in the year to June (breaking 22 months of uninterrupted growth) – although firms expect growth to pick-up again in July. Motor traders continued to report modest sales volume growth, and they expect growth to accelerate sharply in July.

boohoo.com exclusive launch of new co-designed collection with Paris Hilton

Photo by Marc Piasecki/Getty Images for boohoo

Trendy fashion e-tailer boohoo.com hosted an exclusive launch event on 26th June 2018, to celebrate the launch of their new co-designed collection with Paris Hilton, including a DJ set by Paris herself and a live performance by Ja Rule!

The party held at Le Marois, in Paris, served as the ultimate Paris Hilton-themed party, inspired by a few of the icon’s favorite things and cultural moments that defined the turn of the century.

The famous heiress has created a capsule collection of 70 pieces inspired from the 2000’s trends.
The boohoo x Paris Hilton collection references a range of iconic trends the pioneer started back in the early 2000s.

Photo by Marc Piasecki/Getty Images for boohoo

Taking note from the product aesthetic, the event saw Paris Hilton arriving in a pink convertible and hit the turntables for a DJ set to get the party in full swing. Immediately following, American rapper Ja Rule performed live. Additional notable attendees included Norman Thavaud, Malika Menard, Slimane, Rayane Bensetti Tony Saint Laurent, Brahim Zaibat, Singuila and more.  Guests enjoyed custom pink cocktails, a pink room, and a candy bar !

Paris Hilton co-designed a 70 piece collection, including a range of ready-to-wear and swim that recreate her favorite trends and fashion moments since the turn of the new millennium, including animal prints, slinky metallics, palm prints inspired by her home town of Beverly Hills, all pink everything, and cheeky slogan pieces that boast her famous mottos like “That’s Hot”. The product retails for under £35.

Earlier in the year, the British fashion fashion e-tailer unveiled stellar full-year results - pre-tax profits jumped 40% to £43m in the year to February 28, while sales rocketed 97% to £580m, driven by an “exceptional performance” at PrettyLittleThing, which boohoo acquired just over a year ago, that generated revenues of £181m – up 228% year-on-year.   Its active customer base more than doubled to three million in its début year as high profile celebrity associations drove traffic to the site and the company expanded internationally.