The Newtrade Retail Sentiment tracker surveys 200 retailers to understand how the market feels about the state of the nation, and what they are focusing on to drive sales and profits. The most recent tracker (Q1 2025) reveals a continued downturn in confidence in sales and profits. For the first time ever, more than 50% of store owners said they were “not confident at all” in being able to grow both sales and profits over the next 12 months.
55%
for the fourth consecutive quarterly, the number of retailers who expressed any confidence in future sales or profit growth declined.
62%
said sales were down year-on-year in December 2024.
70%
of store owners said that the cost of living crisis and the cost of employment were the biggest issues affecting their business