Summary

"Off to University in the UK - 2018" report forms part of the Retail Occasions series, and offers a comprehensive overview of the major retail occasion of students starting and returning back to university, analysing the market, the major players, the main trends and consumer attitudes.

Scope

- The rise in average spend negates the impact of fewer students going to university. Though fewer students going to university dampened demand for off to university products, this was offset by increasing average spend across most off to university categories.
- International students present an opportunity for retailers. The number of EU and non-EU students accepted to study at university in the UK rose in 2018, giving retailers access an opportunity to win new customers.
- The discounters and supermarkets are increasing their share of off to university spend. As students’ budgets are becoming more stretched, value for money and low prices continue to be the most important factors for off to university shoppers.

Reasons ...