September Retail Snap: Stores and Online Shops Take a Tumble
Both foot‑traffic and click‑through sales dipped in September, according to the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS). Whether you browsed a shop in town or scrolled through a catalogue, the numbers say slow down was in full swing.
The Numbers that Matter
- Volume of all retail sales fell -0.9% versus August.
- Monetary value of sales slipped -0.2%.
- Household goods stores saw a -2.3% drop in volume.
- Clothing stores slipped -1.6% in volume.
- Online (non‑store) sales shrank by a hefty -2.2% in volume, and the money spent online dipped -1.3%.
- The only bright spot? Food retail volumes up +0.2%, with a +0.4% increase in value online.
The Voice of the Delivery Pro
David Jinks, Head of Consumer Research at parcel‐delivery giant ParcelHero, points out that shoppers have yet to feel the heat‑down of rising prices. “In September, there were no retail winners,” he says, “both on the High Street and online. Consumers are still grappling with the cost of living boom.” The market’s only grin came from food outlets. Comfort food—chocolate, ice cream, a quick snack—seems to be carrying shoppers through the crisis.
A Silver Lining in the Mist
Despite the general slump, the value of online sales grew 6.4% year‑on‑year in September, making up 26.7% of the entire retail market. Online traffic continues to outpace pre‑pandemic levels (which were at 19.7% back in February 2020). That’s a sign that digital platforms are more resilient in a shifting economy.
The Road to Survival: Omnichannel is King
ParcelHero’s landmark report, “2030: Death of the High Street,” has been discussed in Parliament. The takeaway: unless retailers roll out a step‑up omnichannel strategy—blending bricks and click—our beloved high street as we know it will hit a dead end by 2030.
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