UK: Clothing retailers see volumes slump

UK clothing retailers have recorded the sharpest volume declines in two years, as the country's retail sector continued to be hit by weak consumer confidence.

The CBI today (25 August) said that clothing retailers saw sales volumes fall 27% on averagte during Augst, the lowest fall since August 2009 when they fell 35%. However, sales of footwear and leather rose 38%, the first rise since May.

According to the latest Distributive Trades Survey found that retailers were the most negative they have been about the general business situation since February 2009.

It found that 46% of retailers saw volumes fall in the two weeks to 16 August, while another 31% saw them rise over the period. The resulting fall of 14% was the most negative since May 2010, but was in line with expectations of a 12% fall.

"As expected, August was a tough month on the high street. Sales volumes fell at a pace not seen in over a year, as consumers have continued to see their real incomes squeezed by a combination of inflation and weak wage growth, said CBI Distributive Trades Panel chair and Asda COO Judith McKenna.

"This survey suggests that prices will rise more slowly in the coming months, and savvy retailers will continue to offer consumers the lowest prices possible, but with energy and commodity costs still high, families' spending power looks like being constrained for some time."

Equestrian Clothing

Oxfam to Receive 400,000 Clothes on One Day Encouraged by Fashion Icon Twiggy

Fashion icon Twiggy is calling on Marks & Spencer customers to support Oxfam by clearing out their wardrobes this week.

On Thursday 8th September, 370 M&S stores up and down the country will be hosting a special One Day Wardrobe Clearout event, accepting unwanted clothing and accessories that will be resold or recycled by Oxfam. The event will help Oxfam raise crucial funds and prevent clothing from going to landfill.

The national campaign has the backing of the face of M&S Woman and international icon Twiggy, who is encouraging customers to get involved. Twiggy commented: “We’re all guilty of hoarding clothes away that we no longer wear. This is a great way to rediscover those hidden treasures at the back of your wardrobe and donate any unwanted or unused pieces to Oxfam.”

The clearout event rewards customers donating clothes and accessories with a £5 money off voucher when they spend £35 on fashion in store, redeemable until 30th September. Thursday’s event is part of the year-round award winning M&S and Oxfam Clothes Exchange.*

For the first time generous customers will be able to see exactly how their much needed donations are helping, through a brand new interactive online tool, “You Give, Oxfam Gets” atwww.marksandspencer.com/PlanA.

Customers are able to virtually dress a mannequin with clothes and accessories to see how much their donations could raise for Oxfam and how the vital funds could be used to make a difference. A customer donating:
- A dress could raise £9 for Oxfam – enough to help improve the prospects and living conditions of a young person in Nairobi by helping them to work in and run a recycling centre.
- A clutch bag could raise £8 for Oxfam – enough to help livelihoods in Bangladesh flourish by providing three fruit or tree saplings.
- A man’s suit could raise £20 for Oxfam – enough to supply three families food for ten days during an emergency by providing basic food rations or cash vouchers to buy it.

Richard Gillies, Director of Plan A, CSR and Sustainable Business at M&S, said: “By clearing out your wardrobe and simply dropping off your unwanted clothes and accessories at our stores, you can help the environment and help Oxfam save lives. We’re asking our customers to donate 400,000 items of clothing: an easy way to make a difference and save money on this season’s latest collections with a great M&S money-off voucher.”

Oxfam’s Director of Trading David McCullough said: “Every single donated item, from clothing to accessories, really does make a difference in helping Oxfam to overcome poverty and suffering around the world. And for those who may miss out on the wardrobe clearout day, you can still donate your unwanted M&S clothing to any Oxfam shop, any day of the year - and get a voucher to spend at M&S too.”

For more information visit: www.marksandspencer.com/PlanA or www.oxfam.org.uk/MandS.

Sherwood Forest Clothing