Including BDO reporting the worst June on the high street in over ten years.
The Source rounds up some of the key retail stories of the week.
The UK’s decision to leave the EU last month had an immediate impact on the high street, according to the latest figures from BDO. The monthly High Street Sales Tracker recorded a 3.6% fall in overall year on year sales for June, making it the worst June in over ten years. Sales of lifestyle goods for the month were down 0.2% compared to June 2015, while fashion dropped 4.9%, the sector’s second lowest monthly figure so far this year. Sales of homewares were down 6% year on year and non store sales rose by 15.8%. June marks the fifth month a row that the UK’s high streets have seen negative growth. It was also the first time in almost a year that all three sectors – lifestyle, fashion and homewares – recorded negative growth in the same month.
Marks & Spencer has posted a drop in UK first quarter like for likes, with the clothing and homewares division feeling the brunt. UK like for likes in the 13 weeks to July 2 dropped 4.3%, while total UK sales dipped 1.1%. Like for likes in clothing and homewares fell 8.9%. The retailer attributed the dips to feeling the impact of running fewer promotions in the division.
John Lewis continues to be a bright spot for the high street, with sales at the department store chain climbing 2.1% to £90.8 million for the week to July 2. The Summer Clearance helped to drive customers in store, with fashion sales up 3.8% – within that category babywear was the star performer, seeing 21.9% growth. Jewellery also had a strong week, up 15.6%, while home sales grew 1.7% and electricals and home technology dipped slightly by 0.1%.
Morrisons has launched a partnership with Doddle and is to open a small number of concessions in its larger stores. The first click and collect point is now open in the Harrow supermarket. It will allow customers to add the Doddle counter as the delivery address for purchases made online. They will also be able to return any unwanted items to online retailers via the click and collect point.
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