What’s in store? | Navigating the UK consumer

Although the trading environment is likely to remain difficult in 2012, the retailers that take into account both the long-term structural changes as well as the immediate short-term environment have the chance to push ahead, invest strategically and gain market share.

What is clear from our proprietary research is that priorities for spending and cutting back are becoming more diverse both across and within consumer segments - making an understanding of the attitudes of target customers critical for retailers.

We believe that there will be clear winners and losers within each sector and this will entail understanding the cyclical pressures of the recession, while continuing to invest to prepare for the longer-term structural changes in consumer behaviour.