Mintel Retail Intelligence last examined the womenswear retailing sector in September 2002. Since then, the sector has undergone significant change – not least in terms of consolidation of ownership which in almost all cases led to plcs going private. In this report, Mintel Retail Intelligence highlights the factors behind successes within the marketplace. It looks at the major retailers in womenswear and identifies trends within the market as a whole. How will retailers manage to maintain their share of consumer spend when more interest rate rises are inevitable and housing price growth forecast to stall? Being different, interesting, exciting and ‘engaging’ with the consumer are some of the answers identified from our research.

Mintel Retail Intelligence last examined the womenswear retailing sector in September 2002. Since then, the sector has undergone significant change – not least in terms of consolidation of ownership which in almost all cases led to plcs going private. In this report, Mintel Retail Intelligence highlights the factors behind successes within the marketplace. It looks at the major retailers in womenswear and identifies trends within the market as a whole. How will retailers manage to maintain their share of consumer spend when more interest rate rises are inevitable and housing price growth forecast to stall? Being different, interesting, exciting and ‘engaging’ with the consumer are some of the answers identified from our research.

This report provides the latest insight into all the topical marketing issues, including:

The expansion of foreign retailers in the UK

The growing presence of supermarkets in the market and the increasing price competition in the entry level basics sector

Matalan’s new strategy and positioning

Evolving brand strategies and consolidation in the price/value sector

The unpredictable UK economic background and the possible repercussions of consumers’ spending spree

How to drive underlying sales growth in face of consumers’ discerning spending

Fulfilling the fashion aspirations of the ‘mature’ sector

Space growth, new players and the re-emergence of established players in 2003.