Online Spending Dips Post-England’s Semi-Final Loss

  • UK online retail sales declined after England’s World Cup exit
  • Online sales growth dropped to 10% YoY in July
  • Three and six-month rolling averages were higher at 14.7% and 15% respectively
  • First half of 2018 saw record online retail growth
  • Conversion rate peaked last year due to Amazon Prime Day
  • Lower price-points and high street competition affected discounting
  • Garden sector benefited from good weather with 22.4% YoY growth

UK online retail sales experienced a decline in July, with growth dropping to 10% year-on-year (YoY), according to the IMRG Capgemini e-Retail Sales Index. This was below the three and six-month rolling averages of 14.7% and 15%. The first half of 2018 saw record growth, but after England’s World Cup semi-final exit, online sales shrank to +3.7%, +8.6%, and +5.1% in the remaining weeks of July. Bhavesh Unadkat, principal consultant at Capgemini, attributed this to a lack of Amazon Prime Day discounting and increased high street competition. Good weather also influenced consumer spending patterns, with the garden sector seeing 22.4% YoY growth.

Factuality Level: 8
Factuality Justification: The article provides accurate and objective information about the decline in UK online retail sales during July 2018, attributing it to factors such as the end of the World Cup and good weather leading to increased spending on garden products. It also includes expert opinions from industry professionals.
Noise Level: 3
Noise Justification: The article provides relevant information about the decline in UK online retail sales during July 2018 and attributes it to specific factors such as the end of the World Cup and good weather. It also mentions a record growth in the first half of the year and the impact on different sectors like garden products. However, it could have provided more data or comparisons with previous years to give a better context for the decline.
Financial Relevance: Yes
Financial Markets Impacted: UK retail and online sales
Financial Rating Justification: The article discusses a decrease in UK online retail sales growth, which can impact companies operating in this sector and may affect their stock prices.
Presence Of Extreme Event: No
Nature Of Extreme Event: No
Impact Rating Of The Extreme Event: No
Extreme Rating Justification: There is no extreme event mentioned in the article.

Reported publicly: www.retailsector.co.uk