The fastest-growing non-food segment this month, as per British Retail Consortium data out this week, placing clothing coming in third place after beauty and health. In contrast sales of almost all other non-food items dropped as did those of technology, toys and household items.
He said the money is being saved on workwear, where expenditure dropped by nearly one quarter from pre-pandemic levels and instead focusing on things that can be used in a variety of ways including T-shirts, dresses and T-shirts which could be used to social events and also as casual workplace outfits.
The reopening of the high streets and allows customers to try more fitting clothes such as bras and jeans, and to make shopping a social event and has resulted in soaring sales for UK market top retailer Primark with no online store prior to the closures. The sales jumped by 81% in the period of 12 weeks from 28 May, and were 4 percent higher than the levels of 2019.
Marks & Spencer, the Spanish-owned chain Mango as well as the online retailers Boohoo and Asos, have seen consumer spending continue to increase.
the term used by the industry for those who spend more following a negative experience.
One reason why receipts have returned to pre-pandemic levels is due the fact that everything costs more. Kantar observed that the amount of clothes being sold had decreased by around eight percent, whereas the average cost for goods was increased by 9.9%.
But Saxton stated that the increased expenditure was not only because of inflation, however, it was also due to consumers buying more reputable brands. “People tend to make deliberate purchases. It’s a decline in the amount that people are impulsive about buying. People want to have more control on where their money goes and that money has to be pushed farther.”
He added that people were looking for clothing that is ” going to last a bit longer” and that they won’t need in the future to purchase “in the next few months”.
This was in line with research was conducted by the John Lewis chain conducted in May. In the survey, 37% of the shoppers surveyed stated that they were seeking clothes that could be used in a variety of ways to make spending more effective. The department store stated that it was not aware of an increase in sales for any category. Clothing for social occasions were especially popular with 55% of the respondents said they planned to invest in them.
Based on Kantar the market overall is also being bolstered by the strong demand for essentialslike socks, underwear, and nightwear as well as spending in those areas increasing by 10% compared to pre-pandemic levels. The price of cotton has fluctuated and the price of underwear has been among the highest-priced increases at 21% higher than they were in the pre-pandemic years as per Edited.
Demand for sportswear has been strong, with changes in lifestyles made since the outbreak continuing. Spending on sportswear is 33% more than in the year the year 2019. Sales of trainers are increasing by five percent, as casual footwear is becoming the norm, however smart sales of footwear are declining.
Wedding dresses and parties are also on the rise as people are spending 1percent ahead of the pre-pandemic level and up 165% from the previous year, according to Saxton. “A lot of people are looking through their wardrobe and realising the last time they wore an outfit was more than two years ago and they need a wardrobe refresh.”
The spending on holiday gifts is nearly three times that of last year , yet it is nearly a fifth lower than the pre-pandemic level, according to Kantar.
Pippa Stephens, a member of the group of researchers Global Data, said a trend towards casual attire in the workplace is likely to dampen trade for tailors and suit makers. She suggested that supermarkets, and stores like Primark and, possibly Marks & Spencer, were likely to profit by focusing on the essentials.
The younger shoppers are reported to be cutting back more on their spending according to Stephens the change will affect more fashionable stores and online experts.
“Most are living on less or have families with young children to take care of. Incomes for older shoppers are lower.
