Rent-to-Buy Retail: UK Market Profile and Forecasts

• Publication date: November 2012
• Report size: 38 pages

Rent-to-buy is a fast-growing segment of retailing in the UK, expanding to take up some of the increasing degree of slack on the high street. These retailers are frequently criticised for imposing a combination of credit terms and insurances which leads to items being significantly more expensive than via other channels. However, for many consumers, they increasingly make it possible for them to obtain goods which would not otherwise be accessibl...

Rent-to-buy is a fast-growing segment of retailing in the UK, expanding to take up some of the increasing degree of slack on the high street. These retailers are frequently criticised for imposing a combination of credit terms and insurances which leads to items being significantly more expensive than via other channels. However, for many consumers, they increasingly make it possible for them to obtain goods which would not otherwise be accessible. This report aims to explore these views. It also considers the factors which have driven the high rates of growth that the sector has experienced and sets our views on how likely it is to continue in the future.

In this report we review the UK rent-to-buy, or hire purchase, retail market. We quantify the market size, historical growth rates and levels of industry profitability while reviewing key factors behind these figures.

We also carry out an in-depth analysis of the relevant drivers of industry growth – in particular the macroeconomic environment and supplier trends – setting out historical trends and available forecasts. Our forecast for industry growth is based on this analysis of historical trends and growth drivers.

We believe that, in order for those involved in the market to make the best decisions in this complex and changing environment, they need to have access to the best information. The aim of this report is to provide this.

It is intended for:

- Operators of rent-to-buy retail businesses themselves
- Investors in these businesses
- Retail property-owners, developers and landlords
- Market regulators and policymakers
- Banks, analysts, consultants and other parties with interests in the sector

This report is based on:

- Interviews with senior-level contacts across the high-cost credit market
- Extensive research into published industry sources
- In-depth analysis of the macroeconomic environment and relevant market drivers
- Financial analysis of the accounts of companies in the industry.

Information from these sources has been synthesised and presented clearly and concisely with extensive use of charts and tables to illuminate points and support conclusions.

Market forecasts have been constructed using simple assumptions which are clearly stated. Supporting evidence is provided for our assumptions but readers can easily flex them to model alternative scenarios.

Retail Industry in the United Kingdom

Market overview
- Description
- Market characteristics and trends
- Value drivers
- Regulation
- Alternatives to rent-to-buy
- US comparison
- Borrowing costs
- Customers

Market size and growth
- Stores
- Franchising
- Revenue per store
- US and betting shops comparisons

Market drivers
- Discussion of market drivers
- Drivers and their impact:
- Macroeconomic indicators
- Access to banks
- Consumer credit and lending

Competitive landscape
- Leading companies
- Caversham / BrightHouse
- Prefect Home
- Buy As You View
- Comparison of performance

Forecasts
- Driver forecasts
- Real GDP and inflation
- Unemployment
- Household disposable income
- Store growth
- Market forecast
- Risks to the forecast

Rent-to-buy company profiles
- Caversham / BrightHouse
- Prefect Home
- Buy As You View


Companies Mentioned

BrightHouse .
Buy As You View Holdings .
Perfect Home Holdings .

Retail in United Kingdom

Bahrain Total Mass Retail, Units

• $ 250
• Industry data
• January 2013

Yearly, From 2004 To 2009
By Business Monitor International
Source: National Institute for Statistics, British Retail Consortium, Food from Britain

• Industries : Retail
• Countries : Bahrain, United Kingdom

United Kingdom Cooperatives, Units

• $ 250
• Industry data
• January 2013

Yearly, From 2003 To 2010
By Business Monitor International
Source: National Institute for Statistics, British Retail Consortium, Food from Britain

• Industries : Retail
• Countries : United Kingdom

United Kingdom Total Mass Retail, Units

• $ 250
• Industry data
• January 2013

Yearly, From 2003 To 2010
By Business Monitor International
Source: National Institute for Statistics, British Retail Consortium, Food from Britain

• Industries : Retail
• Countries : United Kingdom

Sri Lanka Cooperative Sales, Lkrbn

• $ 250
• Industry data
• January 2013

Yearly, From 1999 To 2016
By Business Monitor International
Source: National Institute for Statistics, British Retail Consortium, Food from Britain

• Industries : Retail
• Countries : Sri Lanka, United Kingdom

United Kingdom Cooperatives, Sales Per Outlet, Us$mn

• $ 250
• Industry data
• January 2013

Yearly, From 2003 To 2010
By Business Monitor International
Source: National Institute for Statistics, British Retail Consortium, Food from Britain/BMI calculation

• Industries : Retail
• Countries : United Kingdom