In today’s InternetRetailing, we’re reporting as the latest retail sales figures from the British Retail Consortium suggest that shoppers are now spending less as the cost of living rises. The BRC’s chief executive Helen Dickinson says the post-pandemic bubble has burst as energy and fuel costs rise, along, more widely, with prices – and sees the proportion of sales taking place online settling at a new normal. Barclaycard research, meanwhile, shows shoppers spending more as costs rise and cutting back in areas such as digital downloads and subscriptions.
This news comes at a time when retailers are finding innovative and different ways to sell to shoppers who now do more of their shopping online. The Dr Martens brand, for example, is making more of its sales direct to consumers, rather than via wholesale partners. Indeed, it prioritised its direct channel during supply chain issues in its latest financial year and found that its sales rose by 18% despite those challenges.
Asda, meanwhile, is expanding its partnership with Uber Eats in a way that enables shoppers living near 405 of its shops around the UK to get fast delivery within 30 minutes of ordering. It’s a way of providing a more convenient service at a moment when shoppers need – or want – supermarket supplies urgently.
Meanwhile, JD Sports today says it’s setting aside £2m against a potential CMA fine and legal costs related to an allegation that it fixed the price of selling Rangers FC kit in collusion with Elite Sports Group.
Our guest columnist, retail veteran David Kohn today offers his personal perspective on personalisation, with insights into where and how technology can be most effective in making the shopping experience relevant.
Frasers Group bought Missguided out of administration at the end of last week and says it is well place to give the online fast fashion brand a long-term future.
In today’s guest comment, Alexander Frolov of HypeAuditor sets out how retailers can make the most of social ecommerce this year.
