UK total retail sales increased by +1.1% YoY in February, against a growth of +5.2% in February 2023, reports BRC-KPMG in their latest Retail Sales Monitor. While food sales grew YoY, sales of non-food products declined.
The online penetration rate (the proportion of non-food items bought online) decreased to 35.7%, from 36.1% in February 2023.
While furniture sales growth decreased, home and dining accessories performed well.
Helen Dickinson OBE, chief executive of the British Retail Consortium (BRC), says: “Consumer demand was dampened by the wettest February on record, translating into a poor month of retail sales growth. Not even Valentine’s Day lifted customers out of the gloom, and gifting products that typically sell well, like jewellery and watches, failed to deliver. On the sunnier side, rainy weather did brighten sales of toys, as parents looked for ways to occupy their children indoors.
“With consumer confidence and demand remaining weak, Government must find ways to stimulate the economy. Retailers have some Government-induced cost hurdles to jump in the coming months including a £400m business rates rise based on last September’s 6.7% inflation rate. By using Wednesday’s Budget to reduce this, the Chancellor will lend a helping hand to much-needed investment in businesses and local communities up and down the country.”
Linda Ellett, UK head of consumer markets, leisure & retail, KPMG, adds: “Cuts in national insurance rates designed to put more money in people’s pockets have so far failed to translate to a boost to consumer spend on the high street, with retail sales growth in February recording a limp +1.1%.
“Health and beauty categories continued to drive sales both on the high street and online, whilst sales of home and dining accessories received an unexpected boost last month, as consumers moved from buying clothes to buying cushions and cooking items. With food inflation slowing, sales of food and drink remained strong at +5%, but this was slightly down on January’s figures.
“As many households continue to adapt budgets to meet higher essential costs, including higher mortgage rates, consumer reluctance to get out there and start spending is likely to remain in the short term. With big increases in labour costs and business rates just weeks away, adding to an already stressed cost agenda for retailers, many will be pinning their hopes on some good news in the Chancellors’ Spring Budget this week to help kickstart a spending revival on the high street.
"As inflation continues to slow over the coming months and household finances are expected to improve, there is some light at the end of the tunnel for weary households. However, the assumption that having more spending power will lead to more spending isn’t cutting through at the moment, and retailers will continue to face significant downward pressures on demand in the months to come."
