Up-to-date coverage of the latest events in UK retail.

Consumer confidence falls in September

Consumer confidence dipped last month, especially among the young.

A PwC study found 28% of consumers believe their disposable income will fall versus 21% who think they will be better off over the next 12 months, the research reported by the Daily Mail showed.

The findings were the most downbeat since April 2014 and prompted fears about the outlook for retail’s crucial Christmas season.

PwC consumer markets leader Lisa Hooker said: “Consumers are still more positive about their personal prospects than immediately after the EU referendum.

“However, there has been a staggering 25-point decline amongst under-25-year-olds, at a time of year when we have historically seen a bounce in sentiment in this age group.”

Etailer Allbirds to ramp up store count

Allbirds, the footwear specialist, plans to more than double store numbers next year.

It intends to open 20 stores next year, bringing its bricks-and-mortar estate to about 35 branches, AP reported.

The openings will be the latest by online start-ups, including mattress retailer Casper and men’s fashion business Untuckit.

Allbirds said it could not ignore stores because most footwear sales are generated there. Additionally, Allbirds employees can explain the benefits of the materials used in its products, such as tree fibre and sugarcane.