How is the high street battling the headwinds?

Retailer prospects

Can UK retailers really survive and prosper as the consumer keeps being squeezed? Maria Merricks reports.

The UK retail sector has battled a number of headwinds over the past year or so. Austerity measures have taken hold, the macro environment remains challenging, inflation has soared to 5.2%, disposable incomes are being squeezed and consumer spending is low. Investors would be forgiven for thinking the sector a dud. However, in the midst of the summer’s market turbulence there were some notable success stories. Europe’s largest shopping centre, Westfield Stratford, opened its doors in September and welcomed an encouraging four million visitors to its 300 shops and restaurants. At the s...