Author: Nicki Butler

LOWER CONSUMER CONFIDENCE PRE AND POST BUDGET WEAKENS SPENDING IN OCTOBER BUT THE TREND FOR EXPERIENCE/LIFESTYLE SPENDING CONTINUES.

A SHARP DOWNTURN IN SALES IN UK TOWNS AND CITIES IN SEPTEMBER 2024 DUE TO A COMBINATION OF HEAVY RAIN, LOWER CONSUMER CONFIDENCE AND A STRONG COMPARABLE IN SEPTEMBER 2023.

SALES IN UK TOWNS AND CITIES STRENGTHENED IN AUGUST, PARTICULARLY IN KEY SECTORS, WHICH IS LIKELY TO HAVE BEEN SUPPORTED BY AN IMPROVEMENT IN THE WEATHER 

HOPES FOR A POST ELECTION REBOUND IN SPENDING DURING JULY WERE DISAPPOINTED WITH SALES ACROSS TOWN AND CITY CENTRES DURING JULY -9.3% BELOW JULY 2023.

SPENDING IN JUNE SUBDUED BY COOL RAINY WEATHER AND ELECTION UNCERTAINTY, BUT BOLSTERED BY THE EUROS.

ENCOURAGING NEWS FOR HIGH STREETS IN MAY WITH A BOUNCE BACK IN SPENDING FROM APRIL, ALBEIT THAT SPENDING ON FASHION AND HOUSEHOLD GOODS REMAINS CHALLENGED.

SALES IN HIGH STREETS NOSE DIVED IN APRIL, DUE TO EASTER OCCURING IN MARCH THIS YEAR COMBINED WITH HEAVY RAIN THROUGHOUT THE MONTH