Fashion Business Intelligence

Fashion powers to 2026 high, up 12% in week 10

UK retail is celebrating its most successful trading week of the year so far, as total like-for-like (LFL) sales jumped by a robust +9.85%. This significant recovery, measured against a challenging -7.43% base from the same week last year, was primarily fueled by an explosive performance in the fashion sector, which effectively countered...

Wet weather impacts February sales

UK retail sales saw limited growth in February as subdued consumer spending weighed on performance across much of the sector. Over the four weeks from February 1 to 28, total retail sales increased 1.1 percent year-on-year, matching growth recorded in February 2025 but falling below the 12-month average growth of 2.3 percent, according to new...

February 2026 fashion industry financial roundup: Tariff headwinds, resilient luxury and a polarising consumer landscape

This monthly overview distils the financial trends that shaped the global fashion industry in February 2026, drawing on earnings releases, market data and macroeconomic signals relevant to senior decision-makers across the sector. A sector navigating divergent fortunes The February reporting season painted a picture of an industry pulled in...

US retail sales decline

US retail sales weakened at the start of the year. They fell by 0.2 percent month-on-month in January, as the Department of Commerce announced in Washington on Friday. The retail sector is of great importance to the US economy. Economists had, on average, anticipated a slightly stronger sales decline of 0.3 percent. In the previous month,...

Online surge powers fashion to growth amid falling footfall

As the UK transitions into spring, the retail sector recorded a positive start to the month, with total like-for-like (LFL) sales rising by +3.20%. This growth, measured against a negative base of -6.89% from the previous year, was bolstered by gains across all segments. However, the week’s narrative was defined by a powerful digital performance...

UK footfall sees sharp decline in February as wet weather impacts activity

New figures from the British Retail Consortium (BRC) and Sensormatic have revealed a sharp decline in UK retail footfall in February. Total visits dropped 4.7 percent year-over-year, a notable deterioration from January’s modest 0.6 percent decline. High streets saw the steepest fall, with footfall down 5.4 percent YoY, compared to a 1.9 percent...

UK retail footfall rebounds in February, driven by seasonal events

New data from MRI Software shows UK retail footfall rebounded strongly in February, with visits rising month-on-month as shoppers returned after the typical January slowdown. According to the company’s latest analysis, footfall across all UK retail destinations increased 9.4 percent compared with January 2026. The rise marks a clear recovery...

UK Spring Forecast 2026: Economic outlook for retail businesses

The UK government has set out its new Spring Forecast 2026, with chancellor Rachel Reeves telling Parliament that her economic plan is “the right one” for a more uncertain world. For retail businesses, the key talking points were reports of inflation falling, borrowing allegedly being lower than expected, and household incomes that are...

New report uncovers unfair practices in UK brand-supplier relationships

A new survey of UK clothing manufacturers has raised fresh concerns about the way brands and retailers manage their supplier relationships. The research, carried out by the University of Nottingham, the University of Leicester and Transform Trade, gathered responses from 48 tier-one manufacturers across England, Scotland and Wales between March...

Complaints from fashion consumers surge amid increased use of AI

Citizens Advice has reported a surge in complaints from fashion consumers as a heightened use in AI increasingly enables scammers to target online shoppers. According to the organisation’s consumer service, nearly 18,000 complaints logged last year were in regards to clothing, shoes and accessories purchases, up 21 percent compared to 2024. A...

Valentine’s Week Spark: UK Fashion defies deluge to drive growth

The UK retail sector recorded its third consecutive week of growth as Valentine's Day celebrations provided a much-needed boost to discretionary spending. According to the latest BDO High Street Sales Tracker, total like-for-like (LFL) sales increased by +2.05%, a resilient performance against a strong +4.72% base from the previous year. The...