November European Retail Briefing  

"Online clothing retailing was already growing exceptionally fast before the COVID-19 outbreak. However, the ongoing pandemic and the resulting closure of non-essential shops has played into the hands of those with an attractive ecommerce offering even more. As a result, online pureplayer, Amazon witnessed its penetration in the major European economies increase further when compared to last year, except in the UK. Zalando, also saw its share grow in the majority of countries, driven by the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak."

- Emily Viberg, Retail Analyst

November UK Retail Briefing  

“The retail sector moves into the final two months of the year in a far better position in 2021 than in 2020. However, while the pandemic led-restrictions which disrupted trade in 2020 have eased, inflationary pressures and uncertain consumer confidence make peak 2021 no less challenging. While these factors will loom large on purchasing decisions, there is a strong willingness from consumers to enjoy themselves this year following the disruption of last Christmas and the broader events of the past two years.”

- Emily Viberg, Retail Analyst

• European Retail Handbook  
  European Retail Handbook

  

  "In 2020, European countries’ combined retail sales value growth slowed down, however, it still recorded a positive performance of +0.5% year on year, which is welcome news considering the challenges caused by the pandemic. The combined value of retail sales for the 36 major economies reached €3.54 trillion in 2020. Germany has the largest retail market and France is second. In 2020, the UK was third, overtaking Russia. In 2020, Turkey led in terms of retail sales growth as the total rose by nearly a fifth. At the other end of the spectrum, is Spain where retail sales fell 17.2%, North Macedonia at -7.1% and Bulgaria at -6.7%."- Utku Tansel, Research Analyst
• Seasonal Spending Habits (Autumn/Winter) - Ireland  
  Seasonal Spending Habits (Autumn/Winter) - Ireland

  

  “COVID-19 continues to cause Irish shoppers concern, but with greater financial health among consumers in 2021 and consumers overall feeling less threatened by the pandemic, seasonal spending, particularly for Christmas, is likely to improve in 2021 compared to 2020.”– Brian O’Connor, Senior Consumer Analyst
• Center of Store - US  
  Center of Store - US

  

  “The shelf-stable and frozen food categories of the center store, long overshadowed by fresh perimeter departments, gained importance and attention in the COVID-19 pandemic as home-bound consumers looked to stock their pantries and freezers. While center store sales overall will inevitably revert to their slow-growth pre-pandemic pattern, retailers and marketers can leverage the center store to deepen shopper loyalty and engagement, deliver value and help make fresh meal preparation a little easier.”– John Owen, Associate Director – Food and Retail
• October UK Retail Briefing  
  October UK Retail Briefing

  

  As consumers cut back on their spending on fashion, watches and jewellery during 2020 because of the pandemic, they are now looking to splash out on unique items. Close to a quarter had a bespoke piece of jewellery/watch made, +9 percentage points since the last Report in 2020. There has also been a 7 percentage point rise in consumers personalising items. As the pandemic and lockdowns have meant many people have spent more time online and on social media browsing products, consumers have shifted to be more informed about how items are made and what they want and looking for more unique pieces.
• October European Retail Briefing  
  October European Retail Briefing

  

  A lot has been written over the last 18 months about the rise of ecommerce in the UK. Indeed, there is no doubt that the online channel benefited vastly from both virus exposure fears and enforced time spent at home. In Mintel’s Online Retailing – UK, 2021 Report we saw that online retail sales grew by 44.9% in 2020, and accounted for around 28% of all retail sales. It is our belief that the shift towards purchasing more online is here to stay and this puts the discounters in an interesting position.
• Books and e-books - UK  
  Books and e-books - UK

  

  “While growth will slow moving forwards, the pandemic created an increased appetite for reading, with the digital market gaining many new customers. The reopening of stores and reduced restrictions will boost the print market, although there remains disruption in the supply chain due to both COVID-19 and Brexit. Independent bookstores will benefit as people return to shops, while the launch of Bookshop.org will provide smaller stores with a key online presence and offer consumers more choice away from Amazon.”– Thomas Slide, Category Director - Media and Technology
• Jewellery & Watches Retailing - UK  
  Jewellery & Watches Retailing - UK

  

  “As the jewellery and watches market rebounds from the harsh impact of COVID-19 on the sector, sales are estimated to recover gradually, but it will take several years to reach pre-pandemic levels. As consumers release pent-up demand for purchasing, there are opportunities for jewellery and watch retailers to encourage them to spend by tapping into growing trends for personalisation, more sustainable options and more diversified ranges and services.”– Tamara Sender Ceron, Senior Fashion Analyst
• Food and Non-food Discounters - UK  
  Food and Non-food Discounters - UK

  

  “Despite concerns around their lack of ecommerce offering and potentially crowded stores, the discounters saw sales surge in pandemic-struck 2020. Looking ahead, the sector looks set to leave these turbulent 18 months behind with a spring in its step as continuing economic uncertainty makes their value-led proposition tempting for consumers.”– Piers Butel, Retail Analyst
• September European Retail Briefing  
  September European Retail Briefing

  

  The pandemic accelerated the development of rapid grocery delivery services throughout Europe, with consumers staying home and major grocers being unable to meet demand for home deliveries with their existing online capacity. Even pre-pandemic, on-demand grocery deliveries were already expanding, and this trend looks set to continue in the next few years.
• September UK Retail Briefing - UK  
  September UK Retail Briefing - UK

  

  Covid-19 has made people reprioritise, with people giving aspects such as the environment and their local community higher priority than they did before the pandemic hit (see Impact of COVID-19 on Consumer Behaviour). This has, in turn, highlighted the need for retailers to adopt ethical policies. Shoppers now expect retailers to show compassion and understanding for staff and factory workers; those who have taken advantage of vulnerable people and exploited the situation have been called out. If retailers really want people to start trusting them and generate more customer loyalty, they may need a strategy reset.
• Luxury Goods Retailing - International  
  Luxury Goods Retailing - International

  

  “Attracting Gen Z and Young Millennial shoppers is the key to sustaining a luxury brand. Luxury retailers and brands must continue innovating and connecting to a digitally-minded younger audience. Offering items at entry-level price points can encourage brand loyalty that will last until these younger adults reach their full earning potential. A focus on sustainability will also help attract these more environmentally-conscious younger consumers.”– Tamara Sender Ceron, Senior Fashion Analyst