December European Retail Briefing  

"The fact that well over three quarters of grocery shoppers across Europe (93% in both Italy and Spain, 85% in France, 82% in the UK and 79% in Germany) agree that supermarkets should promote the benefits of buying produce that is in season more indicates a high degree of awareness of the negative impacts caused by sourcing produce from all around the globe so that it is available year-round and a need for supermarkets to be more proactive in taking the lead on highlighting the benefits of buying seasonal produce."

- Emily Viberg, Retail Analyst

December UK Retail Briefing  

"2021 was one where the pandemic continued to loom large, although in certain areas the landscape of post-pandemic retail became a little clearer. Online purchasing remained heightened and it is clear that COVID-19 will indeed mark a step-change in engagement in the channel. Mintel’s COVID-19 Tracker has on average recorded 44% of consumers shopping more online in 2021 than pre-pandemic, while so far online has accounted for 29% of total sales in the sector – a little ahead of the level (28%) seen in 2020."

- Emily Viberg, Retail Analyst

• Clothing Retailing - Spain  
  Clothing Retailing - Spain

  

  “The COVID-19-induced slump in clothing demand has been a catastrophe for fashion specialists, while the accelerated shift to buying clothing online during the pandemic has intensified competition with ecommerce players. The market is now showing signs of recovery, but with some consumer behaviours adopted amid stay-at-home orders during the pandemic persisting, clothing retailers have to expect ‘normal’ business has not been resumed, and be prepared to adapt to a more sustainably-focused and increasingly online shopper.”– Stephen Mayles, Retail Analyst
• Clothing Retailing - France  
  Clothing Retailing - France

  

  “2020 was a year of exceptional upheaval for retailers of clothing in France. Two periods of lock-down meant that specialists saw a drop of more than 23% in turnover, with online revenues only partially offsetting the loss in store-based sales. 2021 has remained challenging as curfews and other restrictions continued into the first half of the year. The distribution landscape is changing, with traditional groups collapsing and online retailers growing their market share. Ecommerce is shifting buying patterns - over half of adults had bought clothing online over the last year, with a third of those buying at Amazon.”– Natalie Macmillan, Senior European Retail Analyst
• Clothing Retailing - Italy  
  Clothing Retailing - Italy

  

  “Clothing was one of the sectors in Italy that was worst-affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and it is still struggling to recover from its impact. One positive is that it forced many retailers to significantly revamp their businesses so that they had an increased focus online, which can only benefit them in the future. As the industry gradually emerges from the pandemic, retailers are adjusting their operations further to take advantage of opportunities in the areas of sustainability, second-hand clothing and recycling.”– Michael Oliver, Senior European Retail Analyst
• Clothing Retailing - Europe  
  Clothing Retailing - Europe

  

  “Clothing is among the sectors being hit the hardest by the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak across Europe. Consequently, the leading five economies experienced a significant fall in retail specialists’ sales of between around 13% and 32% in 2020. Due to strong competition from online pureplayers as well as non-specialists, specialist retailers continue to lose their share of spending in the category. Nevertheless, emerging trends and shifts in consumer behaviour, including growing sustainability awareness, the rising popularity of second hand, increasing tech usage as well as booming online sales, create unmissable opportunities for retailers”.– Utku Tansel, European Retail Analyst
• Clothing Retailing - UK  
  Clothing Retailing - UK

  

  “The clothing market remains under pressure, but it is starting to see a gradual recovery in 2021 as pent-up demand by consumers looking to update their wardrobes for socialising, events and going back to the office drives growth. For fashion retailers and brands to thrive in the future, they will need to invest wisely in more personalised shopping experiences and products, as well as tap into changing consumer behaviours, including heightened demand for sustainability and transparency”.
• November European Retail Briefing  
  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  
  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.