Tokio Marine HCC’s latest Trade Credit UK Retail Sector Report, featuring insights from Fiona O’Brien, Senior Credit Underwriter – Trade Credit, underscores the profound shifts the sector has undergone in the past decade. The report paints a picture of the industry’s current landscape, with insolvency rates surpassing pre-Covid levels and showing an upward trend. As of December 2023, non-food sales had dropped by 3.9%, clothing by 1.5%, and household goods and food stores saw a 3% decline compared to the previous year. However, there are signs of hope. January 2024 saw a notable rebound, with retail sales volumes soaring by 3.4%, marking the largest monthly increase since April 2021 and restoring volumes to November 2023 levels. Sales volumes surged across all subsectors (barring clothing stores), with food stores contributing most to the upturn. To read the report, go to https://www.tmhcc.com/en/news-articles/thought-leadership/trade-credit-uk-retail-sector-report-2024.