In August, retail sales in the UK picked up, according to the Office for National Statistics. They report that there was a 2.5% increased as compared to August last year.
This number was definitely higher than expected, and has been recorded as the best performance since mid-2022. On a monthly basis, sales were also up by 1%, after July’s numbers reported slightly higher.
What Helped Sales Improve?
One of the biggest reasons for the rise in sales was the warm weather, which of course gets many outside, spending on summer clothing, and outdoor items. Many retailers were also running end-of-season promotions, which drove more traffic to stores. Clothing and footwear shops specifically saw a jump in business, with sales going up by nearly 3%.
Supermarkets also saw good numbers, with food sales growing by 1.6% over the year. The drop in food price inflation to 1.2% helped stretch people’s grocery budgets a little further. This was the best month for supermarkets since 2021, as shoppers stocked up on discounted food and other essentials.
What Are Retailers Seeing This Autumn?
With autumn here already, businesses hope that the cold weather will keep people spending, on essentials like warmer clothes and winter goods. Stores are ready for the change in consumer behaviour that comes with colder seasons, and many are already stocking shelves with new items.
Regardless, many families are trying to be savvy, and conscious when it comes to spending. In all, household budgets are tighter than before the pandemic, and while inflation is slowing and interest rates may drop again soon, people aren’t rushing to spend on big-ticket items.
Retail Startups To Look Out For
These startups promise quality and well-spent finances for consumers this Autumn and Winter. Each bringing valuable offerings, the following stand out as startups to keep an eye on as the festive season comes nearer:
Enky
Enky is a leader in sustainable furniture solutions, offering a unique “Furniture-as-a-Service” model that supports sustainability, green investment, and the circular economy. By focusing on refurbishment, recycling, and leasing, Enky helps businesses reduce their environmental impact while maintaining high standards of design and functionality.
Following the remarkable success of fintech company Edebex, which he co-founded in 2013, raising €1bn for SMEs, serial entrepreneur Aïssa Laroussi explored a new B2B niche in the wake of COVID-19: offering companies the opportunity to furnish their offices through a monthly subscription. This allows businesses to access aesthetically pleasing, high-quality, ergonomic furniture at lower costs, all sustainably produced in Europe.
Investors can participate in Enky’s success by investing in high-quality furniture, offering 6%-8% returns. This capital supports a business model that helps companies furnish spaces with minimal cash flow, while also addressing sustainability in one of the most polluting industries.
Based in Belgium, founder Aïssa Laroussi is deeply committed to sustainability and innovation in his ventures and as an investor. His entrepreneurial journey focuses on creating value-driven companies that tackle real-world challenges and contribute to a more sustainable future.
Di-vine
Di-vine is a new wine shop and gifting service dedicated to luxury, personalised wine gift boxes. Customers can access a wide product range: still and sparkling; red, white, and rosé – with a price range of £12-£335 per bottle.
Once wines are selected, customers can choose from gorgeous gift packaging designs for bottles or opt for a pre-selected gift option. All wine gifts come with a handwritten card. Di-vine can then deliver rapidly: London-based customers can receive wine on the same day, with a next-day guarantee for all UK mainland orders.
Di-vine’s female founder and CEO is American entrepreneur Pepper Sells. Born and raised in Philadelphia, Ms. Sells has spent the last 15 years working in London – during which she regularly had to purchase corporate wine gifts.
As her frustration with the market’s fragmentation grew, and using her American instinct for customer convenience, she recognised the gap in the market from which Di-vine was born.
Di-vine has initially been in soft-launch mode in the UK – based on word-of-mouth only – but exploding consumer and corporate demand has brought forward its formal launch. Ms. Sells plans to expand Di-vine’s operations to Europe and the United States before the end of the year.
Storydo
The Storydo BookBuilder is the first-of-its-kind platform enables parents to make a bespoke hardcover storybook, telling the unique story of their family. All they have to do is answering questions and uploading photos. Our books include all the people and places that are important in the child’s life, and are designed to show the child loved and secure at the centre of their family, strengthening their identity and sense of self. Our books celebrate all types of families and can help parents to find the right words for more complex topics, from donor conception to bereavement.
Storydo is a hugely innovative platform, that enables anybody, regardless of writing and editing skills to create a bespoke family storybook that fosters family storytelling and a sense of belonging. But it’s not just a force for good but also represents a huge commercial opportunity, as it addresses all ABC1 parents of children aged between 2 and 7 years.
Join The Tryb
Join The Tryb is an online retail store that sells single-serve and sample-sized products from trending, emerging brands in the consumer goods space. This approach supports consumers by allowing them to “try before they buy” full-size products, ultimately saving them money if the product doesn’t meet their expectations. It also addresses the growing demand for better-for-you products in a more cost-effective way.
