Fashion
UK discretionary retail sales tepid but fashion is stronger
Published
October 3, 2025
UK retailers saw moderate discretionary sales growth ahead of the key Golden Quarter trading period in September, BDO’s High Street sales Tracker (HSST) showed on Friday.
Total like-for-like (LFL) retail sales in-store and online grew by 3.1% — less than 4.7% seen this time last year but not disastrous even though discretionary spend growth remains below inflation meaning sales volumes are down.
In-store sales were the drivers this time as physical stores saw sales growth of 3.7% year on year. This was one of the highest figures so far this year and follows on from August’s positive performance when in-store sales grew at their highest rate in two years.
However, sales online grew by just 3% in September, compared to a very strong base of an 11.6% rise in September 2024.
The discretionary categories BDO tracks are fashion, homewares and lifestyle and fashion outperformed. Total LFL retail sales in the sector grew by 4%, with in-store LFL sales growing by 6.4%.
Sophie Michael, Head of Retail and Wholesale at BDO, said: “These results will be seen as a positive trend as we move into the critical golden quarter, particularly given the exceptionally tough economic backdrop.
“However, the timing of the Budget, two days before Black Friday, could have significant implications for the retail sector. Retailers were caught out last year with the higher-than-expected [National Insurance] hikes combined with the impact that the Budget had on consumer confidence. There is no doubt that investment decisions are being deferred even further as businesses await the forthcoming Budget and understand its bearing on their short and medium term cashflows.
“Reports elsewhere also suggest that there are reduced orders being placed with suppliers as retailers fret over the level of spending. At the same time, consumers will be approaching their spending choices with caution; the speculation and noise around the Chancellor’s Budget may cause the shopper to tighten their belts. Depending on the outcome, December will be critical to the Christmas trading results.”
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However, during negotiations with the United States, the European Union and several other developed economies, these very QCOs were repeatedly flagged as opaque non-tariff barriers, complicating market access and slowing progress on key FTAs. When major trade partners made it clear that India’s expanding QCO regime was not aligned with global norms and posed compliance concerns under the WTO’s Technical Barriers to Trade framework, the long-pending course correction finally gained urgency, as industry insiders hinted about sudden policy shift of the Indian government.
The recent withdrawal of QCOs for essential textile raw materials—covering PTA, MEG, PSF, PFY, FDY, POY and several technical polymers—has opened the door for full value addition in India’s MMF and textile ecosystem. Manufacturers across weaving, knitting, processing, technical textiles and garmenting say the rollback has restored access to globally benchmarked inputs at competitive prices, reversing the cost escalation that had eroded export competitiveness. Industry representatives note that the move has already begun easing supply bottlenecks, narrowing the gap between domestic and global prices and encouraging companies to revive deferred expansion plans.
Published
November 18, 2025
GS1, the international standards organisation underpinning barcode and QR Code technology, has announced the appointment of Laura Barnac as executive chair of its French division.
A specialist in business transformation, Laura Barnac has led projects for groups such as Unilever and LVMH, as well as for mid-cap companies including Daregal. Co-founder of the start-ups Voka and Melco, focused on innovation and marketing, she has also served as an adviser to Bpifrance and Sakina M’Sa, and oversaw Moët Hennessy’s online operations.
A member of the GS1 France Board of Directors since 2019, Laura Barnac now succeeds Didier Veloso, the organisation’s executive chair for the past four years, beginning a tenure that will be marked by the progressive migration from barcodes to augmented QR Codes.
“Laura Barnac has impeccable credentials and a nuanced understanding of the challenges ahead,” say Bertrand de Senneville and Philippe Lemoine, co-chairs of the Supervisory Board of GS1 France. “She has also demonstrated throughout her career a leadership style grounded in listening and the human element, which will help accelerate and amplify the transformation under way.”
Launched in 1973 in the US with the invention of the barcode, and rolled out in Europe in 1977, GS1’s mission is to ensure technological coordination among all players in commerce with regard to product identification tools. The not-for-profit organisation brings together more than 58,000 member companies in France, and over 2 million worldwide.
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India and the US are close to sealing a landmark trade deal that could ease the steep tariffs imposed by Washington earlier this year, as other Asian apparel export hubs keep a keen eye on the developments.
At a recent White House event, President Donald Trump struck an optimistic tone, noting that Washington and New Delhi were “getting close” to finalising a fair-trade deal.
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India’s QCO rollback boosts textile competitiveness, aids trade talks
GS1 France appoints Laura Barnac as executive chair
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