Looking for winners among challenged consumer-focused stocks

It has been widely reported the UK consumer is facing headwinds and potential challenges on a number of fronts.

With real wage growth now in negative territory and the housing market subdued, consumer confidence has fallen despite the current employment and interest rate environment remaining favourable.   Companies operating within consumer-facing sectors are not just facing concerns around demand for their goods and services, but significant cost challenges too.  The devaluation of sterling has increased the cost of imported goods, and the Apprenticeship Levy, National Living Wage and higher business rates are exerting further pressure on the bottom line. Add to this structural challenges ...