UK consumers are adjusting their shopping behaviour in response to the tough economic backdrop, according to the third annual Shopper Preference Report from Bazaarvoice.
Asos
The provider of UGC and social commerce solutions speaks to over 8,000 global consumers every year with a big chunk of them in the UK. And it found that inflation has had a big impact on their behaviour with “affordability and trust driving purchasing decisions”.
And while there has been a lot of talk about fashion spending being affected, the study claims that the hardest hit categories are actually grocery (71%), food and beverages (60%), and health & beauty (25%).
Bazaarvoice said 58% of UK consumers have switched to cheaper brands, 45% are delaying non-essential purchases, and 36% are actively using coupons and discount codes. Loyalty programmes are also seeing increased participation, with 35% of shoppers joining them to access better deals.
Store brands are gaining traction amid economic pressure. The survey also reveals that 57% of UK consumers have permanently switched to store-brand products. Lower prices (77%) remain the biggest factor, but improved quality (48%) and positive reviews (35%) are also helping store brands earn consumer loyalty.
As for Authenticity, 57% of UK shoppers cite real customer reviews as the biggest factor in their final purchase decisions. “Consumers trust content that includes detailed product descriptions (33%), real-life photos/videos (37%), and balanced feedback (36%)”, we’re told. However, on the flip side, they’re “wary of overly positive, generic reviews (45%) and suspiciously high review volumes in a short time (40%)”.
The report also said that social media continues to become ever nor important to shopping decisions. A third (32%) of UK consumers say social media introduced them to new products, while 28% use it to compare prices and products.
Short-form videos (49%) and customer reviews (44%) are the most trusted content formats here. However, “honesty remains paramount” as 51% of UK shoppers distrust creator content that feels overly promotional, and 42% say authenticity comes from creators who acknowledge a product’s pros and cons.
Social media’s prominence shows how tech can make an impact and consumers appear to be hungry for even more innovation. A quarter (26%) of UK shoppers are excited by smart fitting rooms, and 19% find augmented reality product visualisation appealing.
Luxury fashion powerhouse Prada is making bold moves. CEO Andrea Guerra has reportedly flown to New York, a source told Reuters, as the group engages in talks to acquire Versace from Capri Holdings—a deal that could bring together two of Italy’s most iconic fashion names.
A source revealed that on his visit to the U.S. financial hub, Prada CEO Andrea Guerra is joined by Lorenzo Bertelli, the son of the group’s key shareholders, Miuccia Prada and Patrizio Bertelli, who also serves as chief marketing officer.
Meanwhile, Capri Holdings, based in New York, announced on Thursday that Donatella Versace is stepping down as the brand’s main designer after nearly three decades.
Starting April 1, Dario Vitale, a designer from Miu Miu, a smaller brand within the Prada Group, will step into Donatella Versace’s role as chief creative officer of the Medusa-head brand. According to Morningstar analysts, this strategic move could pave the way for a potential Prada-Versace acquisition.
Prada declined to comment, and Reuters could not confirm whether Guerra’s trip was directly linked to discussions with Capri Holdings regarding a possible Versace deal.
Earlier this month, reports surfaced that Prada was nearing a €1.5 billion ($1.64 billion) agreement to acquire Versace. On February 20, a source told Reuters that Prada had been granted four weeks to review the financials of its smaller rival.
Beyond Versace, Prada is also rumored to be eyeing Jimmy Choo, another Capri Holdings brand, further signaling its ambitious expansion plans.
British sportswear brand Umbro heads back to its Northern roots for the release of its collection and campaign for Spring/Summer 2025.
The new ‘Northern Quarter’ collection and supporting promo gains inspiration from “the authenticity and creativity of the brand’s home city Manchester, with the line “bringing Umbro’s sports heritage up to date with a casual street-savvy swagger”.
Umbro says it continues to shape the global landscape of sportswear, “defining style both on and off the pitch”.
Recent partnerships, including with Palace, Supreme, and Aries, “have helped cement Umbro’s pioneering reputation within the sports fashion space”, it said.
So this season, the brand refocuses on the place where it all started, “acknowledging its roots and archive, while incorporating a renewed and forward-thinking design code inspired by Manchester’s relentlessly vibrant and creative Northern Quarter”.
The football heritage-inspired collection “reinterprets archive classics through a contemporary lens”.
Key hero pieces include the Zip-Off Sleeve Wind Jacket (£90), which takes inspiration from the track jacket Umbro produced for the England team in 1998; the Washed Drill Top (£67) and Washed Diamond Drill Sweat (£80), which directly reference the drill tops of the 1990s “embraced by players and fans alike”. They come reimagined in washed cotton with additional details including integrated pockets,
The campaign supporting the collection launch was shot by Jay Johnson and spotlights Northern Quarter’s new generation including Jefe, a socially conscious barber and former basketball player; street artist Tomas Gittins; and ‘Gone Fishing’ vintage store owner Seb Dixon.
“Each embodies the creative, entrepreneurial, and inclusive spirit of Manchester’s Northern Quarter”, notes Umbro.
The just-launched collection is available at umbro.co.uk as well as selected stockists including END, Size, Urban Outfitters and ASOS.
Fashion brand Hera has gone big with its latest collaborative partner… global soft drinks brand Pepsi. The partnership, entitled ‘Here for More,’ is a “bold celebration of both brands’ shared ambition to encourage people to be present, put enjoyment first, and strive to get more out of life”, we’re told.
As part of the collaboration comes a four-piece unisex limited-edition collection featuring hoodie and T-shirt designs, each embodying the essence of ‘Here for More.’
Each piece carries the motivational message: ‘Here for More. It all starts with your mindset. The pursuit of more’.
Designed in tonal colourways (black, grey marl, and off-white with touches of electric blue) they reflect Pepsi’s branding and Hera’s signature oversized look.
The accompanying “dynamic interactive” campaign includes exclusive interactive PR boxes, a series of pop-up events, and a visual fashion campaign that reflects Pepsi’s legacy and Hera’s bold identity.
The interactive PR boxes contain a locked ‘safe’ box containing the limited-edition hoodie, “encouraging the receiver to share their ‘Here for More’ mantra – a statement or quote that embodies a ‘More’ mindset – via social media to unlock the exclusive gift”.
The collection is being “secretly” dropped in four cities (London, Birmingham, Manchester and Glasgow) between 20-23 March and consumers will be able to try and win the exclusive pieces from special co-endorsed vending machines.
The collaboration is described as “an organic extension of Hera’s mission: to empower individuals through fashion that speaks to ambition, confidence, and an elevated lifestyle. The ‘Here for More’ collection is also inspired by Pepsi’s ‘Thirsty for More’ purpose – to champion those who challenge convention in the pursuit of enjoyment – while embracing Hera’s distinctive style”.
Available online at heraclothing.com from 17 March, the unisex collection is priced £88 for the hoodie and £58 for the T-shirt.