UK Retail Rankings - UK  

“The 2021 Retail Rankings paints a picture of the retail sector that went into lockdown. It helps to put into context the businesses which have failed, such as Debenhams, Arcadia and Aurora. Their share of retail sales was relatively low (they rank at 30 or under in the Ranking), but their share of outlets is far greater at over a quarter of the totals identified in their particular sector. The Rankings shows the growing strength of the online retailers and will be the benchmark to assess the state of retailing as it emerges from lockdown in 2021 and 2022.”

– Neil Mason, Retail Category Director

UK Retail Briefing  

“Amazon Fresh and it’s Just Walk Out Shopping lives up to its promise, feeling truly like no other shopping experience. However, what is most surprising is that Fresh is not just a technological show, but a top-tier modern convenience store that can go toe-to-toe with rivals on the basics of retailing.”

- Nick Carroll, Associate Director - Retail

Key issues covered in the report

• Analyst comment - Amazon Fresh - More than meets the eye
• An overview of the latest UK retail sales – Impact of COVID-19

• European Retail Briefing  
  European Retail Briefing

  

  "Food is clearly an essential spending area and with consumers limiting their shopping trips and time spent in-store, online grocery has benefitted, not only as consumers sought to purchase essential items in a safe way, but also as they looked to indulge themselves to compensate for the high levels of stress and boredom under the constraints of COVID-19 restrictions. As a result, online grocery retail is registering strong growth across Europe."- Emily Viberg, Retail Analyst
• Specialist Food and Drink Retailers - UK  
  Specialist Food and Drink Retailers - UK

  

  “Specialist food and drink retailers have suffered in a year like no other in recent times. With the economy struggling as the pandemic took hold, wages dropped and footfall on the high street plummeted as online retail surged. There is light at the end of the tunnel now however, and specialists should look to capitalise on the boom in local shopping and support for smaller businesses as they work hard to educate customers and drive value for them.”– Piers Butel, Retail Analyst
• Greetings Cards and Personal Stationery Retailing - UK  
  Greetings Cards and Personal Stationery Retailing - UK

  

  "The pandemic has heightened consumers’ sense of belonging and as such, sending greetings cards have become an important part of keeping in touch with family and friends during lockdown. Despite the rise of digital communications, the pandemic has put a renewed focus on the traditional pastime as it gives people the chance to feel connected and switch off from the digital world. This has also contributed to trends in the personal stationery market, which has seen consumers take up journal writing as a way to maintain their wellbeing. The pandemic has helped boost the use of both mediums as a way for consumers to express and channel emotions during a year that has been challenging for many." 
• European Retail Briefing  
  European Retail Briefing

  
• UK Retail Briefing - UK  
  UK Retail Briefing - UK

  

  This year’s Valentine's Day will be one to remember - as couples find alternatives to the traditional dining at restaurants to celebrate the occasion during lockdown. There’s likely to be an increased focus on in-home celebrations, which will have the potential to boost seasonal food and drink, and alcoholic drink sales. Takeaways are also expected to see a boost for the day as households try to recreate the special occasion at home. But retailers will also have the opportunity to cater to singles who are looking to treat themselves this year, as trends in the wider market have focused on self-care.
• Beauty and Personal Care Retailing - France  
  Beauty and Personal Care Retailing - France

  

  “France has experienced two national lockdowns, as well as a nationwide curfew and restrictions on store opening times. This has shifted a large amount of spending on BPC online and forced many specialists to redouble their efforts to develop or accelerate their internet offer. Many have showed real adaptability, particularly through digitization of areas such as online consultations and live-streaming events. Stores have had to adapt to new conditions, and we expect to see a move towards fewer but better stores, as the experiential side of in-store shopping becomes more important.”– Natalie Macmillan, Senior European Retail Analyst
• Beauty and Personal Care Retailing - Spain  
  Beauty and Personal Care Retailing - Spain

  

  “Beauty and personal care specialists suffered in 2020 as lockdowns led to temporary store closures across the country. Ecommerce was a clear winner and many specialists have pivoted to multichannel strategies. Concerns around the pandemic are still particularly high in Spain and retailers will have to improve the in-store experience with a clear focus on the customer’s health and wellbeing, if they want to entice consumers back in-store and compete with supermarkets and online-only retailers.” – Piers Butel, Retail Analyst
• Beauty and Personal Care Retailing - Italy  
  Beauty and Personal Care Retailing - Italy

  

  “The COVID-19 outbreak has been challenging for the beauty and personal care retailing sector in Italy but many of the leading retailers have managed to partly mitigate its impact by ramping up their online operations. We expect to see a continued shift towards online which will lead to retailers to consolidate their physical store estates. In the near-term, with unemployment set to rise in 2021 and many consumers cutting back on non-essential spending, the next few years are going to see an increased focus on price and value.”– Michael Oliver, Senior Retail Analyst
• Beauty and Personal Care Retailing - Europe  
  Beauty and Personal Care Retailing - Europe

  

  “With stores deemed non-essential closed in order to curb the spread of COVID-19, many brands and retailers saw their overall sales fall in 2020. There was growth in online sales but this could not offset the loss of trade in bricks-and-mortar outlets. We expect the most successful retailers will be those that ensure they stay in tune with what consumers want, especially when it comes to digitisation, innovation, hygiene & safety and sustainability”.– Utku Tansel, European Retail Analyst
• UK Retail Briefing  
  UK Retail Briefing

  

  Overall, in one of the most difficult festive periods due to the COVID-19 pandemic, demand held up well – indeed the 3.2% growth in November and December beat even our best case scenario. This was down to both a determined consumer base, to enjoy the festive period, and the adaptability of the retail sector – which showed it had learnt much from the first lockdown in how to trade under the harshest restrictions.
• European Retail Briefing  
  European Retail Briefing

  

  The Covid-19 pandemic has accelerated the demise of many failing retailers and their disappearance opens the way for new, better retailers to take their place. The paradox of the situation the retail sector finds itself in is that high streets should emerge fitter and stronger in the long term, even if the process of getting there will have been traumatic.