Fashion
UK consumers to spend £3.6bn in Boxing Day sales – Barclays report
Published
December 26, 2025
Expect consumer spending on Boxing Day to possibly fall short of the sales event’s previous two years as concerns over the cost of living weigh heavily on decision-making, says to the Barclays Consumer Spend report.
But fashion does remain the top shoppers’ choice with beauty not far behind.
Some 69% say cost pressures will impact their spending this year, up from 47% in 2024.
UK consumers are expecting to spend £3.6 billion this time, lower than the £4.6 billion predicted in 2024 and £4.7 billion in 2023. The good news is that the average shopper intends to increase their budget by £17 compared to 2024. That said, there’ll be fewer consumers taking part at 26% down from 28% a year ago.
As mentioned, clothes, footwear and accessories all remain top this year, chosen by 37% after the category saw subdued spending in 2025.
Third is beauty products (20%), behind food and drink (27%), but ahead of homewares (20%) and discounted Christmas items (19%) ranked next.
Meanwhile, nearly half (44% ) say they plan to shop at some point during the Christmas sales period, and for this group, the January sales are the most popular time to do so, chosen by 89%.
The growth of artificial intelligence (AI) is now having an increasing influence with shoppers embracing AI and other smart tools in their hunt for deals.
And AI’s also having an influence on where consumers shop, with the report noting its use “demonstrates a renewed enthusiasm for the experience of shopping in-store”.
Demand for in-store shopping remains strong, continuing to be a Boxing Day tradition for many sales fans, as 49% of those who will browse the Boxing Day sales plan to visit shops in-person.
Those hitting the high street say they prefer to see and touch items before they buy (42%), that they like the human interaction (27%) and that they view the sales as a nice Christmas activity (26%.
People also say they would be even more inclined to visit the shops if they were offered in-store-only discounts (29%), easier access (24%), or free items with purchases (21%).
As for shopping digitally, the survey says that convenience is key with online shopping now being supported by the use of AI tools.
Online shopping remains the preference for 40%, and AI is “transforming how people seek out deals online”. Some 37% say they use AI and/or smart tools when shopping, rising to 53% for those aged 18-34.
These shoppers are turning to AI and smart tools to research products (43%), compare prices and deals (34%), generate gift ideas (31%) and set up personalised alerts (25%).
For many, the technology “provides reassurance and efficiency” with 72% saying it saves time by narrowing down the best deals, while two thirds (65%) trust AI to help find discounts. However, 50% do worry that AI tools may encourage overspending.
However, in light of growing cost-of-living concerns, a quarter (25% will only buy what they consider to be essentials in the sales. For those shopping for beauty and skincare specifically, 45% will use the sales to pick up their go-to products at lower prices, while 33% will be searching for premium beauty brands at a discount.
Karen Johnson, head of Retail at Barclays, said: “Boxing Day is still a pivotal moment for retailers, fuelled by Christmas nostalgia, but it has evolved to reflect modern consumer demands. This year, we’re likely to see a balanced blend of online convenience, experiential retail and increasingly mindful purchasing.”
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Fashion
Rieter responds to higher raw material prices
Rising global political and economic tensions have driven sustained increases in raw material and energy costs, impacting the textile machinery sector.
Rieter has faced mounting input expenses amid strong demand and price hikes for various materials.
The company has so far absorbed the additional costs but will implement price adjustments from March 2026 as pressures persist.
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Fashion
US company Brooks Running’s revenue up 16% in 2025
“Running continues to gain extraordinary momentum around the world as more people choose movement as part of their approach to health and wellness,” said Dan Sheridan, Brooks CEO. “Our opportunity ahead is incredibly exciting and I have great confidence in the entire Brooks global team. Following a record 2025, we enter 2026 energised by the innovations and programmes we’ll deliver to runners and retailers worldwide.”
Brooks Running closed 2025 with record global revenue, up 16 per cent year-over-year, marking its ninth straight year of growth.
Strong gains came from North America, EMEA, and Asia Pacific–Latin America, led by a surge in China.
Growth was driven by performance innovation, strong footwear sales, and new lifestyle collections and collaborations.
In EMEA in 2025, the performance running footwear market grew 14 per cent in France and 21 per cent in Germany with Brooks outpacing both 22 per cent and 28 per cent, respectively, the company said in a press release.
In 2025, ten Brooks footwear styles posted year-over-year revenue growth of 20 per cent or more. The Glycerin series, featuring Brooks’ new DNA Tuned midsole foam, delivered 33 per cent revenue growth and a 27 per cent increase in unit sales year over year, accelerated by a 46 per cent year-over-year revenue surge in Q4.
At Paris Fashion Week in January 2025, Brooks unveiled its new lifestyle footwear collection, which celebrates the brand’s 112-year heritage as a leader in sport and answers customer desire for performance-inspired silhouettes to wear on and off the run. Brooks partnered with streetwear pioneers and visionaries to launch multiple sought-after collaborations including the Brooks x STAPLE Adrenaline GTS 4 with New York-based Jeff Staple and the Brooks x RSVP Gallery Caldera 8 with the renowned Don C.
Fibre2Fashion News Desk (RR)
Fashion
UK’s M&S doubles down on denim with Spring 26 campaign
M&S enters 2026 holding the leading position in women’s denim and a growing market share in men’s denim as more customers turn to M&S for style, quality and accessible price points.
M&S is strengthening its dominance in women’s denim and building momentum in men’s with its Spring 26 campaign.
Holding an 18.2 per cent share in women’s denim, it is expanding trend-led fits, reducing legacy lines by 40 per cent, and introducing modern silhouettes with broader sizing.
Updated men’s smart-casual shapes and wider washes aim to attract younger shoppers and drive higher volumes.
With the denim market in growth – +7.9% vs LY (WW), +6.1% vs LY (MW) – M&S is well placed to accelerate its leadership in one of its key growth categories.
A confident women’s proposition
The Spring 26 womenswear offer reflects M&S’s category strength in fit and breadth. Already the UK’s leading retailer in women’s denim, with a market share of 18.2%, M&S is doubling down on trend led newness while refreshing customer favourites to drive volume.
Over the past year, M&S has reduced legacy lines by 40%, enabling the business to pivot into faster moving, trend aligned fits. The introduction of new fashion led silhouettes – alongside a new pricing architecture where 40% of the SS26 range sits at £30 ($40.92) or under – will sharpen value and style perception further.
New silhouettes include the High Waisted Patch Pocket Flare, sitting alongside updated customer favourites, such as the Barrel – including the new High Waisted Crease Front Barrel Leg, High Waisted Turnup Wide Leg and Lyocell Blend Wide Palazzo fits. Wide Leg and Barrel fits now account for 65% of total womenswear denim sales. M&S has sold 105,000 pairs of Barrel Leg Jeans since first introducing the shape in March 2025.
With sizes 6–24 and across up to five different leg lengths, the offer maintains M&S’ position as a destination for inclusive and reliable denim. The breadth of trend-aligned shapes and sizing mix is playing a key role in attracting a younger shopper – sales among the 35–54-year-old customer have increased by +9.5%, with M&S outgrowing the wider denim market.
Maddy Evans, Director – M&S Woman, said: “We’re building on our market share leadership in women’s denim with new refreshed shapes that are modern, versatile and stylish. This season, we’ve strengthened our offer around the fits our customers are loving most, from new takes on Wide Leg to updated Barrel silhouettes. With 65% of sales now driven by these modern shapes, and 40% of our SS26 range coming in at £30 or under, we are continuing to stay ahead by staying close to our customers and what they want – modern fits and a consistent focus on value, quality and style. ”
Momentum building in men’s denim
In menswear, M&S is sharpening its style credentials with a modernised proposition. The Spring collection introduces straighter and more tailored shapes, complemented by a wider wash palette ranging from deep indigo to soft ecru. These updates reflect a category-wide shift towards smart casualwear.
With a 12.1% share of the men’s denim market, M&S aims to further strengthen its relevance among younger male shoppers who are seeking style, dependable quality and great value. The introduction of a new £20 price point broadens entry-level accessibility while the £60 Autograph Selvedge Denim range gives customers access to premium craftsmanship at a market-leading price point.
Mitch Hughes, Director of Menswear at M&S, said: ‘Denim at M&S Man continues to gain momentum, and this season we’ve sharpened the offer with more modern, tailored shapes and clearer price points, including our new £20 ($27.28) tier, through to £60 Autograph Japanese Selvedge”
“Combined with an expanded wash palette including overshirts and an array of new denim fits our latest collection – backed by a bold campaign – positions M&S as a stronger, more relevant choice to help broaden our customer base.’
Kidswear denim: durable, great value and backed by the Kidswear Guarantee
The Spring 26 kidswear denim range has been designed to offer reliable, everyday value for families, supported by M&S’s One Year Kidswear Guarantee. The collection includes essential fits as well as style-led shapes, including carpenter and barrelleg complemented by relaxed denim shirts, with prices starting from £10. Each product has been designed for durability, comfort and repeat wear, incorporating practical ‘grow with me’ design details such as reinforced seams and adjustable waists.
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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