Footwear sector tops UK retail in September
12/10/2012
The industry benefitted in September from the delayed back-to-school timing at the beginning of the month and from the colder weather towards the end, resulting in good footfall.
Demand was strong across ranges, from transitional products to winter boots, and was better for children’s and men’s ranges than for women’s. Overall, boots were driving the trade and promotional activity was down.
Stephen Robertson, director general of the British Retail Consortium, said: “After a poor summer for sales, this is a return to growth rates we’ve come to regard as relatively acceptable in these relentlessly tough times. The improvement has come from the weather and a change in the mindset of some customers.
“This September’s colder conditions contrast sharply with the heatwave a year ago, giving clothing and footwear sales a major boost as shoppers stock up early on coats, boots and knitwear. Children’s clothes and shoes did particularly well in September, partly because many people left back-to-school buying later this year as a result of competition for their time in August.”
The footwear sector was compared with food and drink, clothing, house textiles, furniture and flooring, home accessories and other non-food.
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