This ad will be closed automatically in X seconds.

High Street sales flat in October, says BDO

Lack of promotions failed to encourage shoppers to increase spending, according to monthly tracker.

BDO’s monthly High Street Sales Tracker reported a year on year sales dip of 0.2% for October.

Fashion sales were hardest hit, with a 0.4% fall year on year in October, while the lifestyle sector dipped slightly by 0.2%. However, homewares was up 3.8% compared to the same period last year.

The flat growth in October comes after an exceptional September, which saw its best figures since 2012, reporting the highest monthly rise since April last year.

Fashion retailers were affected by the unseasonably warm October, while promotions failed to encourage shoppers to increase spending from a similarly weak period last year.

“A mixed pattern of discounting failed to incentivise shoppers, many of whom may well be holding out for a discounting bonanza at the end of the month,” said Sophie Michael, head of retail and wholesale at BDO.

“The fulfilment problems and general chaos around Black Friday last year were well documented, but it looks like the early build up to this year’s version in the media may have added to a general reluctance to pay full price.

“Consumers are incredibly savvy and retailers need to find the discounting strategy that will take advantage of consumers’ increased spending confidence as Christmas approaches.”

MORE NEWS
B&LLAs24finalists500x500
 
The finalists in the Product, Property, Retail and Rising Star categories for the Brand & Lifestyle Licensing Awards 2024 have officially been revealed....
MiffyGaleries500x500
 
Two shop-in-shop activations have opened their doors in Galeries Lafayette Paris Haussmann for the classic brand....
TombRaider500x500
 
Video games developer, Crystal Dynamics, has signed the video game and geek culture specialist agency to represent Tomb Raider products for merchandise licensing....
HarlemGlobetrotters500x500
 
The Harlem Globetrotters - famous for fusing sport and entertainment - have signed with IMG to further develop the brand in anticipation of its 100th anniversary milestone in 2026....
RitaOra500x500
 
Primark is continuing its ongoing fashion collaboration with Rita Ora with a new spring collection combining a fresh floral colour palette with new designs....
F1Topps500x500
 
Formula 1 has confirmed a multi-year renewal of its partnership with Topps, which will see the Fanatics-owned company continue as the official licensee of Formula 1 trading card and sticker collections....
Get the latest news sent to your inbox
Subscribe to our daily newsletter

The list doesn't exist! Make sure you have imported the list on the 'Manage List Forms' page.