The health and beauty sector is forecast to boost UK retail sales in the all important run up to Christmas.
Sales for the ‘Golden Quarter’ Q4 are predicted to reach £99bn, according to digital media company GlobalData, driven primarily by the beauty in the non-food sales sector.
According to GlobalData, shoppers are expected to splurge on premium lines for both gifting and self-treating.
This is helped by a wider choice of brands and greater shopping knowledge, particularly in terms of ingredients.
Low consumer confidence and confusion over Brexit will inhibit big-ticket spending, however.
GlobalData predicts that online will continue its march on traditional retail outlets, luring shoppers in with discounts and loyalty schemes.
Online spend will be further bolstered this Christmas by Instagram’s shopping function, which launched this year, as well as Pinterest featuring direct links to retailers’ product pages.
The ease of purchase through social media will drive impulse purchases of partywear as well as gifts across sectors.
Online retail giant Amazon is set to remain a top choice for gift purchases as its broad product range appeals, and as Amazon Prime subscribers turn to the retailer as their first port of call.