20 Sep Market highlights – September 2017
Every month B.D.C. gives you the key retail information you should not have missed. Key trends, innovation, major players, startups, market figures – discover in 60 seconds the latest key retail news.
UK MARKET HIGHLIGHTS
According to IMRG monthly sales report, UK online sales increased by 16.4% in August – the month registered the strongest retail growth of the year so far.
Average basket value has been the highest in August (since the last 5 years) reaching approximately £130.
What are the sectors that performed in August? We noticed a strong growth from the home sector (online sales grew by 20.5% YoY), clothing sales also increased by 17.9%. However online sales for electronics were down for the fifth month in a row.
KEY PLAYERS
John Lewis has opened in its branches of London’s Oxford Street, Cambridge and Liverpool, a new in-store sleepover experience named ”The Residence”. It allows customers to have a daily newspaper delivery with breakfast basket, fresh coffee and radio sound effects. Customers will be able to apply for an overnight stay and explore the whole shop flagship after it closes, with the option of an hour with a personal shopper or an all-access store tour.
Sainsbury’s clothing brand Tu is launching its first full range of men’s formalwear for the autumn season. In the past Marks&Spencer did the same. Lately Lidl and Amazon also launched their own fashion brands intensifying the competition in the UK.
INNOVATION & TRENDS
Shoppers can now buy 3D printed in-soles that perfectly fit their feet, using a retail innovation just announced by HP. Its technology named FitStation will disrupt the footwear shopping experience as we know it, by creating instantly custom-fitted footwear. Indeed by using scanners that take 3D scans of the foot, measuring foot pressure and capturing volumetric data – retailers will be able to print locally shoes to their customers.
Nike or New Balance tried 3D-shoes printing for seasonal launches or during specific events in order to offer exclusive and ultra-personalised experience to their customers.