Cosmetics Sold Well…24 May 2024 08:52
Glass half full!
BRC: gloomy weather and cost of living squeeze dampened spending
The cost of living squeeze, and the bad weather, combined to drive down retail sales in April (see opening post), retail experts say.
Kris Hamer, director of insight at the British Retail Consortium, says struggling customers resisted buying ‘big ticket’ items last month.
That’s a reminder that households aren’t suddenly wealthier just because the annual inflation rate has fallen….
Hamer explains:
“Sales volumes saw significant decline in April, falling for the third time in five months as the gloomy, wet weather combined with the cost of living squeeze dampened spending. Cosmetics continued to sell well, and computer sales were boosted thanks to promotional activity and consumers upgrading their tech a few years after the pandemic surge in tech sales.
Meanwhile, clothing and footwear and furniture failed to deliver due to the poor weather and consumers thinking twice before buying high ticket items.