Shoppers spent more on fashion purchases this quarter than in the same period last year, according to figures published today by TNS Worldpanel Fashion.

The clothing, footwear and accessories market grew by 3 per cent in the quarter to July 20, driven by both volumes and prices.

However, TNS warned that although “the picture is definitely not as gloomy as the last quarter”, it seems “unlikely” that growth will continue into the next quarter. It said: “Disposable income remains stretched and the wet weather experienced in August will not have encouraged people to the high street.”

Over the quarter, fashion multiples made the biggest market share gains, up by 1.2 per cent to command a 27.8 per cent share of total expenditure in the clothing and footwear market.

Online specialists notched up 0.5 per cent growth to 1.9 per cent of the market. Supermarkets gained 0.4 per cent to 7.6 per cent share.

Mail order retailers achieved a 0.2 per cent rise to 7.2 per cent and footwear shops gained 0.1 per cent to reach a 5.8 per cent market share. Department stores also grew their share by 0.1 per cent to 8 per cent.

General stores lost 0.6 per cent market share over the period to 12 per cent of the overall market, discounters lost the same amount to 10.7 per cent and sports shops lost 0.8 per cent to 9.2 per cent. Independent retailers lost 0.2 per cent to 7.4 per cent.

The average spend per shopper was up 7 per cent over the period, driven by spend on womenswear and childrenswear.

Consumers are spending less per trip, despite shopping more regularly as they shop around more and make more considered purchases.

Discounted sales are down on last year, but discounting activity is being spread more evenly across the year.

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