The UK is experiencing one of its wettest summers on record, leading to a decline in retail sales. According to the British Retail Consortium, there was a 0.2% drop in total UK retail sales compared to the same period last year.
Their chief executive remarked, “Retail sales performed poorly in June, as the cooler weather during the first half of the month dulled consumer spending.”
While this poses challenges for the high street, there is a silver lining for consumers. Experts have discovered that the unpleasant weather has prompted many retailers to clear out their summer stock, resulting in significant discounts on seasonal goods across UK shops.
Tom Church, chief bargain-hunter at LatestDeals.co.uk, revealed the shops slashing the prices of summer staples, from stylish swimwear to festival outfits.
1. New Look
New Look is currently hosting a sale with up to 40% off selected items, making now an excellent time to purchase summer essentials in line with the sunshine’s much-anticipated arrival.
Tom shared: “Some notable product lines seeing reductions are swimwear, sandals, and shorts, perfect for stocking up for your next summer holiday. They also have tops on 2 for £18 and 2 for £14 on more basic attire.
“A handy tip is to check their online exclusive deals, which often have additional discounts not found in-store”
2. H&M
H&M has responded to the slump in high-street sales, offering an incredibly competitive sale of up to 60% off.
Tom Church shared: “H&M is already renowned for its reasonably priced clothing, and their sale has just made them even cheaper!”
He added: “If you regularly shop at H&M, consider signing up for their membership scheme. It’s totally free and gives you early access to all sales.”
3. House of Fraser
The House of Fraser summer sale features up to 60% off on women’s, men’s, and children’s goods. However, Tom points out a “secret” sale on House of Fraser’s website that some consumers may not be aware of.
“House of Fraser has a ‘Daily Deals’ page on their site, which is an excellent place for finding designer clothing at significantly reduced prices. They have up to 90% off clothing from designers such as Hugo Boss, Armani, and Tommy Hilfiger.”
“Be sure to check this page early in the day, as the best deals often sell out quickly.”
4. River Island
River Island, the high-street fashion giant, currently has up to 50% off their summer goods. Almost all of their lines are on sale, including tops, dresses, jeans, swimwear, and beachwear.
Tom noted, “Normally, it’s not recommended to shop for clothes in-season, but River Island’s significant reductions make now a prime time to refresh your summer wardrobe!”
5. Next
Next has responded to the decline in retail sales by rolling out substantial deals across its stores. Shoppers can find discounts of up to 50% on various essentials, from casual wear to more formal attire.
Tom shared: “One of the best finds is a Lipsy waistcoat, which was once £45 and has been marked down to an impressive £13. But this is far from the only reduction they have up for grabs at the moment.
“There are a whole host of other offers for consumers to take advantage of at Next, so grab a bargain whilst you can.”
To help consumers save more on their day out on the high street, Tom shared some other sales that are taking place this July:
Beaverbrooks: Up to 50% off summer sale on jewellery and watches.
Carhartt: Up to 50% off workwear and apparel.
Clarks: End-of-season sale with over 450 styles, ending soon.
Accessorize: Up to 70% off bags, jewellery, and accessories.
Oasis: Up to 40% off, plus an extra 20% off with code “SALE20”