Mintel Retail Intelligence last examined the fashion accessory retail market in September 2000. Since then the fashion accessories market has been very dynamic. There has been an interest in the market during 2001-02 as it became more oriented towards fashion consumers. People started to use accessories in new ways and a huge variety of looks, styles and finishes became popular. Meanwhile retailers, struggling to counter the effects of deflation in the core clothing markets, have been keen to add more accessory ranges. This extends the opportunities for consumers to buy goods from the retail stores.

At the same time, the competitive nature of the high street is forcing a revived interest in store refits and modernisation. Many of the major chains are upgrading their presentation, displays and store environments in a bid to capture increased market share. Department stores, which still dominate fashion accessory retailing in the UK, are also re-inventing themselves. There is an emergence of lifestyle compartmentalisation in the department stores, helping to show accessories in new and interesting ways. Since September 2000, the main changes in the marketplace have been the entry of J Sainsbury into mainstream clothing retailing through the addition of its Jeff & Co range, as well as Matalan's continued meteoric rise and the ongoing success of Asda's George range. In addition, other discounters such as Primark and Peacocks have also established themselves as part of the mainstream in British retailing.

This report examines fashion accessory retailing, looking at consumer attitudes towards shopping for accessories as well as at the key retailers in the marketplace. The report highlights factors behind successes in accessory retailing and predicts the outlook for this retail sector in the UK.

Other relevant Mintel reports include:

- Footwear Retailing, Retail Intelligence, May 2002

- Sportswear Retailing, Retail Intelligence, January 2002

- Womenswear, Consumer Goods Intelligence, November 2001

- Menswear Designer Retailing, Retail Intelligence, September 2001

- Menswear Mainstream Retailing, Retail Intelligence, August 2001

- Menswear Discount Retailing, Retail Intelligence, July 2001

- Womenswear Designer Retailing, Retail Intelligence, June 2001

- Womenswear Mainstream Retailing, Retail Intelligence, May 2001

- Womenswear Discount Retailing, Retail Intelligence, April 2001

- Men's Outerwear, Market Intelligence, January 2001

- Women's Outerwear, Market Intelligence, July 2000.