What’s happening in retail?
22-05-2006
…with an increase in retail sales of 6.8% compared with April 2005. However, with Easter falling lat this year a better comparison is a combination of March and April figures which show an overall like-for-like increase of 2.2% on last year with total sales rising 5.3%. Still am impressive figure!
One big concern however is the inflation rate increasing up from 5% to 8% a little too high for comfort. Also when combined with the first quarter of 2006 which shows bankruptcies increasing by a massive 73%, the highest level since the 1960s there are some highly jittery politicians and a rise in the bank rate looks inevitable. This was also reflected by a very nervous stock exchange too so designers out there keep it tight, don’t over stock and remember that cash flow is king!
On the larger scale there is a lot of corporate activity with the recent flotation of Debenhams and rumours of another bid for HoF this time from Baugur. John Lewis trading dipped after a good Easter but has come back strongly at the end of April with electricals showing a 29% growth on the same week last year.
Jennifer Holloway
Jennifer Holloway
