Mid market and eco retailers see growth

Recent times have seen flurry of fast fashion brands leading to a rise and the promotion of throwaway, quick style fashion. Although recession-led times have seen campaigners urging consumers to shop smart – buy less and more key investment pieces

– shoppers don’t seem to have been deterred from shopping endless discount pieces from Primark and Topshop.

There has, of late, been questions arising as to the environmental effects of mass production, the conditions of workers, and shocking waste.

But it seems change might be rising; following on from the shock poor results of late 2010, which saw profits fall by 11%, fashion comparison website, stylecompare.co.uk, has today reported that year-on-year sales of ‘low end’ retailers fell by 21%, as consumers flock to ‘mid level’ and eco brands for their fashion fixes.

Low end brands have also, as new results show, seen a strong increase (30%) in returned goods.

Andy Bond, former Asda boss, predicts worse things to come for high street retailers. At the Retail Conference 2011 he said, ‘the retail recession is ahead of us; 2011 and 2012 are going to be very tough for those of us who are exposed to the UK economy.’

However, stylecompare.co.uk results are showing a sharp rise in mid level retail with brands like Urban Outfitters and mywardrobe.com scoring well. The average consumer spend has risen by 8.03% year on year on pricer items.

The website, which also allows customers to compare brands and prices, noted a rise in eco fashion sales by 68%.

Julia Rebaudo from stylecompare.co.uk comments: ‘Our research has shown that the UK's shopping climate is set to change drastically. The problems that lower end brands like H&M have recently experienced have been unexpected, to say the least; however the notion of buying a dress just for the purposes of a Saturday night on the town seems fairly outdated. Quite simply, consumers are becoming more aware of the value of 'investment pieces', particularly at a time when being conscientious with your spending is a must.

She continues, 'Eco brands are also set to make a big comeback, as the evidence is mounting that consumers associate eco with quality, and care more about where and when their clothes are manufactured.’

Image: Style Compare