Retailers Getting Twitchy.

 

 

 

Retail sales for the year to end March 05 saw the biggest slump, year-on-year, for 13 years according to Confederation of British Industry. Almost 50 % of retailers surveyed expressed that their sales slump continued into April and as a result almost 40% of retailers cut their orders with suppliers. There are high stock holding levels with retailers so it looks as though there’s going to be happy pickings again for the consumer. 

 

So look out for a summer season that will be dominated by High Street sales.  But, is this the right way to go?  Are consumers sick of Blue X days, trawling through rails and rails of disjointed garments haphazardly thrown over the rails?

 

 

“I hate shopping in sales” Andrea Byerley explained “ I hate shopping at the best of the times but during sales is horrendous. Staff never put sale clothes orderly on rails, it’s just like a jumble sale – I’d rather have a pleasurable shopping experience and pay full price!

 

Any views? Do you think that the high street is now dominate by too many sales and special offers? Are we beginning to resemble America and discount stores?

 

Jenny Holloway

Industry Advisor