Retail looking brighter in the run up to Christmas as Europeans return to the shops
December 16, 2021 | By James Issokson- In-store retail sales surge in European markets, including UK, France and Spain as consumers return to stores for holiday shopping
- Clothing and Jewellery sales experience increased spend for the holidays with strong year-over-year growth in France, Italy and Germany
Brussels, 16th December, 2021: With the festive period in full swing, retailers are seeing an uplift in sales according to Mastercard SpendingPulse™, which measures in-store and online retail sales across all forms of payment. With two more weeks of holiday shopping to go, total retail sales (ex auto) are up in the UK, France, Italy, Germany and Spain, year-over-year for the 1 November through 10 December period.
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Mastercard SpendingPulse Nov 1 – Dec 10, 2021 vs. Nov 1 – Dec 10, 2020 |
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|
UK |
France |
Spain |
Italy |
Germany |
|
Total Retail (ex auto) |
9.0% |
7.5% |
15.6% |
9.4% |
3.8% |
|
Online |
-18.2% |
-28.2% |
-31.0% |
-2.5% |
-6.4% |
|
In-store |
26.3% |
21.2% |
24.3% |
10.6% |
6.4% |
|
Clothing |
15.7% |
116.9% |
47.9% |
58.5% |
49.9% |
|
Electronics |
-10.1% |
12.7% |
-10.7% |
1.6% |
-17.8% |
|
Jewellery |
29.2% |
124.3% |
69.3% |
37.1% |
28.4% |
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Source: Mastercard SpendingPulse, which measures overall retail sales across all payment types, including cash and cheque. |
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The unique retail scenario of last year is seen in the year-over-year comparison for online sales. With lockdowns and restrictions in place for most of the holiday season, online sales surged as consumers turned to e-commerce for everyday essentials as well as their gifting needs. This year, with broader store re-openings, consumers are still shopping online but returning to in-store shopping experiences. For the season to date, the UK (+26.3%), France (+21.2%) and Spain (+24.3%) have experienced strong YOY in-store growth as consumers return to stores for their holiday shopping.
As Europe opens up for more festive celebrations, the jewellery and clothing sectors have experienced notable YOY growth across the five countries analysed, as people prep for holiday gatherings and gifting. France has experienced some of the most significant YOY growth with clothing up 117% and jewellery up 124% for the 1 November through 10 December period.
‘In Europe last year, festivities were largely smaller or cancelled completely but this year we can see hopeful shoppers giving a much needed boost for brands and retailers alike. As always, these months leading up to the holidays are an exciting time in retail and the data is looking good at this mid-season point so we look forward to seeing what retailers deliver by the end of the year’, said Mark Barnett, President, Mastercard Europe
Notes to editors: Total retail sales excludes automotive
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About Mastercard SpendingPulse
Mastercard SpendingPulse™ reports on national retail sales across all payment types in select markets around the world. The findings are based on aggregate sales activity in the Mastercard payments network, coupled with survey-based estimates for certain other payment forms, such as cash and cheque. As such, SpendingPulse™ insights do not in any way contain, reflect or relate to actual Mastercard operational or financial performance, or specific payment-card-issuer data.
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