AUS
NZ
UK
CA
USA
IND
Highlights
- In December 2022, overall retail sales in the UK went up by 6.9% against the previous year's figures, as per BRC.
- December's sales numbers were majorly driven by Christmas shopping and the World Cup.
- In 2022, retail sales grew by 3.1%, which is way lesser than the annual inflation level of over 10%.
Even amid the rising concerns regarding the escalating inflationary crisis on the high street, retailers in the UK witnessed a boost in their overall sales last month. December's sales numbers were majorly driven by Christmas shopping and the World Cup.
According to the British Retail Consortium (BRC), the growth in sales rose during the critical festive season. Amid this buying period, sales increased swiftly against the same month in 2021. As customers endured the harsh winter and transport strikes, they ensured their close ones got the gifts they wished for.
©2023 Krish Capital Pty. Ltd
In December 2022, retail sales in the UK went up by 6.9% against the previous year's figures. This figure was also higher than November's 4.2% growth rate. Nevertheless, as per BRC, the higher sales figures were not only due to growth in sales. Most of the increase in sales could be attributed to the soaring inflation levels driving up the prices of products sold. This, in turn, would have concealed the weaker volume of sales.
The recent figures have unveiled that the overall retail sales in 2022 grew by 3.1%, which is way lesser than the annual inflation level of over 10%. Taking this into account, Kalkine Media® here explores the performance of three retail stocks trading on the London Stock Exchange.
Hostelworld Group plc (LON:HSW)
The annual and YTD (year to date) returns offered by Hostelworld Group plc, one of the leading firms in internet and direct marketing retail, stood at 75.03% and 5.14%, respectively, as of Thursday. At around 12:40 PM (GMT) on the same day, HSW shares saw a fall of 3.66%, or 4.60 points, and were trading at GBX 121.00. At that time, the group's market capitalisation stood at £147.59 million, while it had an EPS (earning per share) of -0.31.
Card Factory plc (LON: CARD)
The annual and YTD returns offered by Card Factory plc, a leading retail company specialising in greeting cards and gifts, stood at 50.95% and 22.38%, respectively, as of Thursday. At around 12:40 PM (GMT) on the same day, CARD shares were seeing a fall of 0.63%, or 0.60 points, and were trading at GBX 121.00. At that time, the group's market capitalisation stood at £95.70 million, while it had an EPS of 0.02.
Lookers plc (LON: LOOK)
The annual and YTD returns offered by Lookers plc, another leading retail business specialising in car dealerships, stood at 9.40% and 7.68%, respectively, as of Thursday. At around 12:40 PM (GMT) on the same day, CARD shares were trading at GBX 81.80. At that time, the group's market capitalisation stood at £315.71 million, while it had an EPS of 0.16.
