Data analytics firm GlobalData reveals, the UK fashion sector is set to be among the worst hit industries by the coronavirus with clothing and footwear spend predicted to plummet this year, falling 26.1 per cent, or £14 billion. Analyst Chloe Collins said the lockdown will hit physical shops particularly hard. As the government has extended the UK lockdown for at least three more weeks, offline clothing & footwear sales in 2020 are likely to further contract, falling 33.6 per cent on the year, as the demand for fashion is increasingly decimated.

GlobalData also expects footfall to remain low even when stores reopen as consumers will be cautious about visiting crowded areas, and prioritize catching up with family and friends that they have been unable to see during lockdown. Consumers will also prefer to spend time outside enjoying the summer weather rather than browsing retail stores, and will focus spend on experiences over fashion items.

Online sales are predicted to decline by 7.9 per cent in 2020, even though online retail is the only option to access many product categories.