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.

Online fashion retailers boohoo and boohooMAN in global partnership with iconic beverage brand Pepsi®.

UK fashion brands: boohoo and boohooMAN have collectively created a sportswear influenced capsule, amplifying the 2018 global Pepsi #LOVEITLIVEIT campaign to celebrate one of the world’s most beautiful games – football.  The  British brands have worked together to create a trend-led, innovative capsule collection intersecting and celebrating art and sport.

The collection, available in women’s sizes 6 – 16 and men’s sizes S – XL, is made up of matching track sets, loungewear and sports tops, targeting consumers who are as equally interested in fashion as they are sports. The featured designs are inspired by the artwork submitted by five emerging visual artists from around the world, spotlighted in the Pepsi collective campaign -- Argentina’s DIYE, Brazil’s Bicicleta Sem Freio, Germany’s DXTR, U.S’ Kim Sielbeck and UK’s Iain Macarthur.

Whether you like football or not, the final look of the collection surely will appeal to fashionistas for its bold silhouette and strong colours.  The complete Pepsi “Art of Football” Capsule Collection is now available globally for purchase on boohooMAN.com.

Samir Kamani, CEO, boohooMAN commented: ‘‘I am proud to say that on behalf of both brands, we are extremely excited to be working with a globally recognized brand like Pepsi, on such a large scale. This is a huge moment for us’’.

Natalia Filippociants, Senior Marketing Director, Global Pepsi Trademark, PepsiCo commented: “Football is the world’s game – and that culture and lifestyle goes beyond where and how we watch the game, to how we love and live the game. And that is where this fresh capsule collection plays. It brings the spirit and energy of football off the pitch and into lifestyle apparel and accessories.”