Sports Goods Retailing - UK  

“The COVID-19 pandemic gave the sports goods market some much-needed momentum. Innovations such as sustainable sportswear and immersive in-store experiences are catapulting brands and retailers forward, with an increasing interest in health and wellbeing as well as the continuing athleisure trend driving consumers towards these brands. An industry in decline prior to the pandemic, the sports goods market is set for sustained long-term growth.”

– Fiona McDonald, Retail Analyst, May 2022

Online Grocery Retailing - US  

“Rapid adoption of grocery ecommerce amid the pandemic required retailers to move quickly in an evolving digital landscape. Consumers are continuing to adapt to life amid COVID-19, as convenience and value overtake pandemic concerns as drivers for online shopping. In the years ahead, ecommerce will grow to comprise a higher share of the total market, and retailers have an opportunity to re-invent online platforms to deliver personalized and enjoyable digital shopping experiences.”

– Brittany Steiger, Senior Analyst – Retail & eCommerce

• April European Retail Briefing  
  April European Retail Briefing

  

  "There is also a clear opportunity for physical retailers to tap into mounting demand for sustainability. In fact, this demand has grown with COVID-19, as expanded on in Mintel Trends Driver Surroundings. The growing environmental concerns mean that 45% - 61% of European consumers (61% in Spain, 59% in Italy, 58% in UK, half in France, and 45% in Germany) said that they would prioritise the environmental impact of an electrical/electronic products purchase (eg energy consumption, materials) more now compared to before the outbreak."- Emily Viberg, Retail Analyst
• April UK Retail Briefing  
  April UK Retail Briefing

  

  "Many online-first D2C success stories of recent years are now looking to take on physical space. The Ordinary, Peloton, Gymshark, Castore are all brands that have opened space in recent years. Much of this space is ‘flagship-esque’ and, as such, will not solve vacancy issues within suburban or rural areas. However, it is an encouraging trend, and it is important that local authorities and all stakeholders within physical retail look to make it easier for such brands to transition to physical – as, for many, the reason they began in the online space was simply due to the ease and lower start-up costs." - Steven Mayles, Research Analyst
• Direct to Consumer - UK  
  Direct to Consumer - UK

  

  “Selling directly to consumers is not a new concept, but the rise of ecommerce over the past decade has provided for the foundations for it to be a more disruptive concept across all sectors, from automotive to media distribution. For retailers the modern D2C model has proved the platform for large brands to reduce dependency on retailers, and provided a significant channel to market for new start-ups. It is not a golden ticket to success and for most active in the market retail listing is still the ultimate goal, but it is a growing aspect of the ecommerce sector and one with much room to grow.”– Nick Carroll, Category Director – Retail Insights
• Electrical Goods Retailing - Europe  
  Electrical Goods Retailing - Europe

  

  “In Europe, the COVID-19 pandemic has given a boost to electrical goods spending thanks to the increased amount of time consumers were being forced to spend in their homes, which focused their attention on how they might improve their immediate surrounding. Significantly in 2021, many consumers continued to turn to online as a matter of convenience or potential cost-savings helping the channel taking a larger share of the electricals market. We forecast the most successful retailers will be those that ensure they stay in tune with what consumers want, especially when it comes to wellbeing, sustainability and digitisation.”– Utku Tansel, European Retail Analyst
• Electrical Goods Retailing - Spain  
  Electrical Goods Retailing - Spain

  

  “The Spanish electrical retail sector is showing signs of recovery with consumer spending on the category and sector sales lifted by the easing of COVID-19 restrictions. With the rising cost of living threatening to dampen future demand and consumers increasingly conscious about the impact their purchasing decision is having on the environment, refurbished, rental and repair services will be sought after.” – Stephen Mayles, Retail Analyst
• Electrical Goods Retailing - Italy  
  Electrical Goods Retailing - Italy

  

  “The electrical goods retailing market was one of the most resilient during the pandemic as people spent more time than ever before in their own homes. It continued to perform well into 2021, although our consumer research suggests purchasing levels fell back after their 2020 peak. However, there are dark clouds on the horizon in the form of a cost of living crisis, which promises to disrupt spending on discretionary item. Retailers will need to innovate when it comes to how and when consumers pay for their electrical goods to keep the tills rolling, while they will also need to focus relentlessly on improving customers’ loyalty, satisfaction and experience to keep them within their own omnichannel ecosystems.”– Michael Oliver, Senior Retail Analyst, March 2022
• Electrical Goods Retailing - France  
  Electrical Goods Retailing - France

  

  “After the exceptional years of 2020 and 2021, growth in the household appliances and consumer electronics market is likely to stall in 2022. Many households will redirect part of their spending towards services, leisure activities and holidays and the cost of living squeeze will put electrical goods lower down on many households’ priorities. On the positive side, many more affluent people have accumulated savings that may be used on trading up on electrical goods, bigger renovation projects or moving house. The specialist retailers should continue to do well, supported by the many new points of sale that have opened, plus their increased expertise in the digital arena. Visible commitments to sustainability and the circular economy are becoming essential, and a fundamental shift is occurring as retailers incorporate repairs, rentals, recycling and refurbished items into their business models.”– Natalie Macmillan, Senior European Retail Analyst
• April UK Retail Rankings  
  April UK Retail Rankings

  

  “The 2022 Retail Rankings covers the period that the retail sector battled with trading through the peak of the pandemic.  The combination of the online channel giving continued access to consumers and governmental support mitigated the full brunt of the pandemic for retailers. Indeed those businesses that failed largely did so due to COVID-19 and its repercussions exacerbating pre-existing underlying issues. Although we now enter a ‘restriction-less’ environment, the removal of support combined with the income squeeze and greater competition for spending make the market no-less difficult for retailers to navigate.”– Neil Mason, Retail Category Director
• Grocery Retailing - US  
  Grocery Retailing - US

  

  “After two years, COVID-19 continues to have an impact on the grocery sector. The combined pressures of supply shortages and inflation drive up prices, prompting consumers to prioritize value. Pandemic behaviors give way to new norms, as omnichannel shopping becomes commonplace. Additionally, the strides made in technology enable grocers to reimagine the in-store experience, as digital tools create the store of the future.”
• March European Retail Briefing  
  March European Retail Briefing

  

  "Sustainability has remained at the forefront of developments in the BPC sector. This creates opportunities for brands from all areas of the sector, from value or own-label to premium and luxury retailers, to tap into a more eco-conscious consumer. Mintel Trend Hungry Planet highlights that consumers are increasingly aware of the need to live in a sustainable way as the consequences of society’s throwaway culture become more visible."- Emily Viberg, Retail Analyst
• March UK Retail Briefing  
  March UK Retail Briefing

  

  "The role of social media in retailing has grown over time moving, from simple interactions to now the ability for platforms to accommodate the entire shopping journey, from discovery to purchase. This evolution of social media platforms has been driven by greater customer and retailer engagement in social sites across the past decade, and by the channels themselves as platforms recognised the opportunity to grow income from their captive audience through advertising and providing tools for brands to engage and target their users."- Steven Mayles, Research Analyst