UK Electricals Sector Report summary
May 2021
Period covered: Period covered: 04 April – 01 May 2021
Note: This report summary is one or two months behind the current month as standard reporting practice. The content is indicative only and incomplete with certain data undisclosed. Become a member to access this data or take out a free 30 day trial now.
Electricals sales rose 00% year-on-year in April, according to the Retail Economics Index. The surge in sales was a natural consequence of the reopening of stores, and soft comparisons from last April when non-food retail sales fell across the board due to the first UK lockdown.
Testament to the strength and quick recovery in electricals demand during the crisis, sales are performing well above 2019’s pre-pandemic levels, up 00% on a two-year basis in April
Footfall remains significantly below pre-crisis levels; in all retail destinations in April it was still 32.7% down on the same month in 2019 (Springboard).
Our Retail Economics Shopper Sentiment Survey found that just 00% of consumers felt “comfortable” shopping in physical non-food outlets within the first month of reopening.
Despite some categories experiencing significant pent-up demand (e.g. furniture), non-food retail sales rose on 2019 levels overall.
Home automation and wearable tech products were also in demand during the month. Google search data shows items such as ‘smart doorbell’ (+210%) and ‘smart watch’ (+77%) were well ahead of previous year’s search activity – a key indicator of purchasing intention.
Our research found that over a quarter of consumers expect to shop more online for Electricals, rather than physical shops, even after the impact of the pandemic recedes – the highest proportion of any retail sector.
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Electricals average weekly sales by region
Source: Retail Economics: Retail Sales Series – value, non-seasonally adjusted in London in April
