Lingerie - Indicator - Wet weather fails to drain spirits as lingerie retailers stay afloat

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A flat week's trading and a wet summer is unlikely to give independent lingerie retailers much to be happy about, backed up by the fact that 64% of those surveyed for this week's Indicator reported flat or worse sales compared with the same time last year.

But while the weather might be hitting sales, it is not dampening spirits. Carol Burgess, owner of Brief Encounter in Loughborough, Leicestershire, said: "In the current climate and with what has happened to interest rates recently, I'm not too concerned. I'm not complacent, but I don't see the figures as a negative. The new stock will improve them when it arrives."

Sue Haywood, owner of Lace of Bakewell in Derbyshire, agreed. "It's not something I'm worried about. It was bad throughout June and July because of the weather, but even with that I'm up 20% on the year."

Shapewear styles were consistently good sellers, with TV makeover shows driving sales. Suzanne Greenaway, owner of The Cat's Pyjamas in Helensburgh, Scotland, said: "Shapewear has become acceptable again. We are selling a lot of it to younger people. Consumers watch programmes like How to Look Good Naked and they know what's out there. People want their bras to do more than one thing these days."

TOP 10

Name your best-selling brand of the week

1. Marie Jo

2. Fantasie

3. Prima Donna

4. Triumph

5. Chantelle

6. Freya

7. La Perla

8. Playtex

9. Valery

10. Panache

TOP 5

Name your best-selling styles for the week

1. T-shirt bra

2. Plunge bra

3. Balconette bra

4. Padded bra

5. Strapless bra

TOP 5

Name your best-selling bra brand for the week

1. Fantasie

2. Prima Donna

3. Marie Jo

4. Chantelle

5. Wonderbra

What is the most expensive item sold in store this week?

£275 Lise Charmel bra, briefs and waspie set at The Lingerie Room in County Tyrone, NI

Fashion in figures

How does your week's business compare to this time last year?

36% Better

41% Same

23% Worse

NEW WAVE

By how much did the new collections increase sales in your store week-on-week? 18%

Which are the best performing lingerie trends so far?

1. Bright colours

2. Chocolate brown

3. Electric blue

4. Lace

5. Classic white

When will you introduce Christmas stock?

End of September 23%

Early October 35%

Late October 12%

Early November 22%

Later 8%

Which brands have you taken on for the first time in autumn 07?

1. Fantasie

2. La Perla

3. Dream Girl

4. Lola Luna

5. Miracle

QUICKFIRE QUESTIONS

Do you sell nightwear?

Yes 83%

No 17%

Which is your best-selling nightwear brand?

1. Luna di Seta

2. La Perla

3. Simone Perele

4. Princesse Tam Tam

5. DKNY

Do you sell loungewear?

Yes 16%

No 84%

Which is your best-selling loungewear brand?

1. Ted Baker

2. Princesse Tam Tam

3. Chantelle

4. Camille

5. DKNY

Which brand has had the best sell-through in spring 07?

1. Marie Jo

2. Fantasie

3. Triumph

4. Prima Donna

5. Freya

Which age range drives most of your sales?

Teens to 20 3%

21 to 30 15%

31 to 40 36%

41 to 50 43%

51 to 60-plus 3%

- Drapers spoke to 50 independents about their lingerie business for the week ending August 18. Brands and styles mentioned in the lists, including the Top 10 and Top 5, are ranked when mentioned by five or more retailers.