According to data released by the British Retail Consortium (BRC). They said total sales fell 0.1%, marking the first annual sales decline since 1995.
Sales in November and December were particularly weak, falling 0.9%, the BRC is reported to have said.
Mothercare UK, Bonmarche and luxury jeweller Links of London all went into administration last year. The Arcadia retail empire, HMV and Debenhams both announced significant store closures.
Christmas trading
Christmas trading has been lacklustre with John Lewis reporting figures below expectations. B&M shares drop after reporting a challenging Christmas.
Marks & Spencer and Tesco reported small sales increases as Morrison’s also reported a challenging Christmas period but Lidl grabbed even more supermarket share with good festive trading – (apparently wine sales were up by 20%). Next plc also report a good Christmas.
Superdry shares plunged on a profit warning – after a ‘difficult’ Christmas trading period was reported. And Joules the fashion retailer have reported difficult Christmas trading too.
It would appear that UK retail has started 2020 where it left off in 2019 – under severe pressure!
Gone from the UK high street
Big names have already disappeared from the UK high street such as: Toys r US, Thomas Cook, BHS, Woolworths, Blockbuster, Jessops, Mothercare, Debenhams, House of Fraser, Mamas & Papas, Karen Millen, tReds, Patisserie Valerie, Maplin and the list goes on etc. etc. etc….