Retail sales slide by 1 percent year on year
On a Total basis, sales decreased by 1.0 percent in June, against an increase of 10.4 percent in June 2021.
On a Total basis, sales decreased by 1.0 percent in June, against an increase of 10.4
On a Total basis, sales decreased by 1.0 percent in June, against an increase of 10.4 percent in June 2021. This is below the 3-month average decline of 0.8 percent and the 12-month average growth of 3.0 percent.
During 2020/21 much of retail bounced between being open and closed, significantly impacting sales and changing consumer behaviours. We are now at a stage where year-on-year comparisons are all post the third lockdown, meaning we will no longer be providing Year-on-3-year (Yo3Y) comparisons in the bullets. Total sales on the Yo3Y basis can still be found in the first table.
Sales figures are not adjusted for inflation. Given that both the June SPI (BRC) and May CPI (ONS) show inflation running at historically high levels, the small drop in sales masked a much larger drop in volumes once inflation is accounted for.
Covering the five weeks 29 May – 2 July 2022
- On a Total basis, sales decreased by 1.0 percent in June, against an increase of 10.4 percent in June 2021. This is below the 3-month average decline of 0.8 percent and the 12-month average growth of 3.0 percent.
- UK retail sales decreased 1.3 percent on a Like-for-like basis from June 2021, when they had increased 6.7 percent. This was above the 3-month average decline of 1.5 percent and below the 12-month average growth of 1.0 percent.
- Over the three months to June, Food sales increased 2.2 percent on a Total basis and 1.6 percent on a Like-for-like basis. This is above the 12-month Total average growth of 0.6 percent. For the month of June, Food was in growth year-on-year.
- Over the three-months to June, Non-Food retail sales decreased by 3.3 percent on a Total basis and 4.2 percent on a like-for-like basis. This is below the 12-month Total average growth of 5.0 percent. For the month of June, Non-Food was in decline year-on-year.
- Over the three months to June, In-Store sales of Non-Food items increased 2.2 percent on a Total basis and 0.6 percent on a Like-for-like basis since June 2021. This is below the 12-month growth of 35.5 percent.
- Online Non-Food sales decreased by 9.1 percent in June, against a decline of 5.9 percent in June 2021. This is above the 3-mth average decline of 10.3 percent.
- The Non-Food Online penetration rate decreased from 43.3 percent in June 2021 to 39.4 percent this June.
Helen Dickinson OBE, Chief Executive | British Retail Consortium
“Sales volumes are falling to a rate not seen since the depths of the pandemic, as inflation continues to bite, and households cut back spending. Discretionary purchases were hit hard, especially white goods and homeware, while consumers also traded down to cheaper brands in food and non-food alike. While the Jubilee weekend gave food sales a temporary boost, and fashion sales benefited from the summer holiday and wedding season, this was not enough to counter the substantial slowdown in consumer spending.
“Retailers are caught between significant rising costs in their supply chains and protecting their customers from price rises. The government needs to get creative and find ways to help relieve some of this cost pressure – the upcoming consultation on transitional relief is a golden opportunity to ensure that retailers aren't overpaying on their business rates bills. Government action on transitional relief would make a meaningful difference to retailers’ costs and ease pressure on prices for customers.”
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Paul Martin, UK Head of Retail at KPMG | KPMG
“Retail sales continued to slide for the third month in a row, albeit down just 1 percent on what was a strong June 2021 and against a backdrop of unprecedented price rises on the high street.
“Online shopping continued to move in reverse with total sales down 9 percent as non-food purchases related to the home, such as furniture, home appliances and computing, suffered the biggest falls in online spending. The jubilee weekend, which saw street parties across the UK, provided some relief for food and drink retailers as sales grew by nearly 1.5 percent year on year, despite the rising cost across most items.
“As the cost living crisis continues to deepen, retailers face walking a fine line between protecting margins and further denting consumer confidence by passing on price rises whilst negotiating with their suppliers to share the cost increases. Cost and efficiency will dominate retailers’ agendas as they are forced to make some tough decisions on which products make it to the shelves in order to remain price competitive for consumers. With a long run of hot weather predicted and many consumers choosing to holiday at home this summer, retailers will be hoping that the feel-good factor begins to improve confidence amongst some shoppers – as presently overall confidence levels are lower than sales may suggest.”
Food & Drink sector performance | Susan Barratt, CEO | IGD
“Food and drink sales fluctuated week by week in June, and with volume sales down and value sales up, we can clearly see inflation coming through. However, the overall downward sales trend for volumes means the outlook continues to be challenging, although good weather might provide a welcome boost in July.
“IGD’s Shopper Confidence Index reached a new record low in June as shoppers contend with the cost-of-living crisis. We’re forecasting that food inflation will reach 15 percent this summer and our ShopperVista research shows that shoppers are increasingly trying to save money in every part of their lives. Unsurprisingly, shopping habits are changing; some 60 percent of shoppers are now spending time to save money, up from 55 percent in March. With record petrol prices, being able to walk to a grocery store is also increasingly important with 27 percent of shoppers agreeing this is a driver of store choice, compared to 24 percent in May.”
-ENDS-
The BRC sent this release to our "General Retail" and "Monitors" media lists. To check/update what media lists you are on, please contact us below:
For Media Enquiries:
Lara Conradie
BRC Press Office
T: 020 7854 8924
M: 07785 612 214
E: lara.conradie@brc.org.uk / media@brc.org.uk
Emma Murray
PR Manager, KPMG
T: 0207 694 6506
M: 07920 870 623
E: emma.murray@kpmg.co.uk
Laura John
Corporate Communications Manager, IGD
T: 01923 851986
M: 07453 018505
E: Laura.john@igd.com
About the British Retail Consortium
The BRC's purpose is to make a positive difference to the retail industry and the customers it serves, today and in the future.
Retail is an exciting, dynamic and diverse industry which is going through a period of profound change. The BRC is committed to ensuring the industry thrives through this period of transformation. We tell the story of retail, work with our members to drive positive change and use our expertise and influence to create an economic and policy environment that enables retail businesses to thrive and consumers to benefit. Our membership comprises over 5,000 businesses delivering £180bn of retail sales and employing over one and half million employees.
www.brc.org.uk
Twitter: @the_brc