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August continued the positive discretionary retail sales story, fashion led the way says BDO

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August continued the positive discretionary retail sales story, fashion led the way says BDO


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September 5, 2025

On Friday, the UK’s official statistics body released figures for July total retail sales. But on the same day, the latest High Street Sales Tracker from accountancy and business advisory firm BDO gave us some more up to date clues with its August discretionary retail sales report.

Photo: Pixabay

And what did it say? Total like-for-like discretionary retail sales (in-store and online combined) grew by 3.9% last month. That was above inflation for the very first time this year, indicating that volumes have also increased. And high street stores alone recorded strong sales growth of 5.2%. That was the highest growth on the high street since August 2023.

The discretionary categories BDO tracks include fashion, homewares and lifestyle, and their 3.9% jump compared strongly to the 0.7% dip this time last year.

Total like-for-like retail sales in fashion led the way and grew by 4.4%, with in-store sales growing in the fashion sector by 5.8%.

As well as physical stores doing well this time, online retail continued the strong performance it has recorded throughout this year, with sales increasing by 6.6% compared to the same month last year.

Sophie Michael, head of retail and wholesale at BDO, said: “Retailers have been under huge pressure this year, particularly on the high street, so these results will make very welcome reading for the sector. Given the disappointing performance of bricks-and-mortar stores this year, the strong growth of in-store sales during August is a very encouraging sign for retailers as we head into the crucial pre-Christmas trading period. However, it is likely that some of this growth was driven by heavy discounting and promotions, as retailers focused on clearing their stock ahead of the autumn season.”

She added that while the approach may well have boosted sales in the short term, it inevitably impacts profits “and will certainly not be sustainable when we hit the ‘Golden Quarter’ in the run-up to Christmas. With retailers’ cost bases higher than ever, thanks in part to changes to National Insurance contributions, maintaining margins is vital”.

Michael thinks that for many retailers, continuing discounting to drive revenue “simply won’t be an option. The good weather for much of August undoubtedly helped get more shoppers out onto the high street. However, as we get into autumn and the weather worsens, retailers may struggle to attract the same level of footfall”.

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Fashion

US’ Old Navy launches little navy, a new newborn essentials collection

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US’ Old Navy launches little navy, a new newborn essentials collection



Old Navy announces Little Navy, a brand-new collection of newborn essentials designed to make those first months a little easier, and a lot cuter. Little Navy offers thoughtfully designed pieces that are easy to mix and match, making shopping and gifting a breeze for your littlest style icon. This is the newest way Old Navy continues to be a style destination for every generation, moment and milestone.

“We designed this collection with parents in mind. Shopping for a newborn, as a gift or for your own, should feel joyful and easy. Everything is intended to be mixed together and matched — it’s fun, it’s emotional, and the value is incredible.”. – Sarah Holme, Head of Design & Product Development for Old Navy.

Old Navy has introduced Little Navy, a new collection of newborn essentials designed to simplify early-stage shopping and gifting.
The range includes layettes, hats, booties and mix-and-match basics in soft, seasonless colours and cosy fabrics.
Sized for babies up to 24 months, the line focuses on comfort, versatility, emotional appeal and strong value for modern parents.

Little Navy goes beyond onesies, offering layettes, hats, booties, and more, all in one convenient collection and no extra searching required. It features a soft, seasonless color palette, cozy fabrics, and versatile styles made for newborns and babies up to 24 months, with sizing that allows Little Navy to grow with baby.

Note: The headline, insights, and image of this press release may have been refined by the Fibre2Fashion staff; the rest of the content remains unchanged.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (RM)



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Bangladesh’s BGMEA seeks policy reforms, release of pending incentives

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Bangladesh’s BGMEA seeks policy reforms, release of pending incentives



Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) representatives recently met Finance Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury and urged him to release pending cash incentives without delay and simplify the disbursement process.

They said bank audit procedures have stalled numerous applications. Around Tk 57 billion in incentives for the textile and apparel sector remain unsettled in fiscal 2025-26, creating acute liquidity pressure and affecting exports.

Bangladesh trade body BGMEA representatives recently met Finance Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury and urged him to release pending cash incentives without waiting for quarterly release schedules and simplify the disbursement process.
They said bank audit procedures have stalled numerous applications.
They also raised concerns over loan rescheduling and working capital.

The authorities were requested to disburse incentives upon application submission instead of waiting for quarterly release schedules, according to a release from the trade body.

BGMEA vice president Mohammad Shihab Uddoja Chowdhury raised concerns over loan rescheduling and working capital. He said banks often reschedule loans to maintain non-performing loan ratios, but fail to provide the working capital factories need to resume operations.

He proposed that banks pair rescheduling with working capital support to create a win-win outcome, allowing factories to operate and repay loans. The finance minister agreed with the proposal.

BGMEA leaders also called for business facilitation and lower operational costs to help Bangladesh remain competitive in the global market. They sought policy support to remove obstacles in customs, ports and other administrative layers and to ensure an investment-friendly environment.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)



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Bangladesh’s CPD calls for reforms in biz & tax climate, trade deals

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Bangladesh’s CPD calls for reforms in biz & tax climate, trade deals




Bangladesh think tank Centre for Policy Dialogue has called for major reforms in business environment, tax collection, trade deals and FDI management, cautioning that the country’s post-election economic transition may be at risk without evidence-based decisions and strong accountability.
A CPD study identified ‘leaking revenue’ as the weakest area across all decision-making indicators.



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