Belts and bags top clothing sales

It seems the appeal of a good bag is spreading

Accessory sales outperformed all other clothing retail sectors during 2005, research has suggested.

Shoppers' lust for belts, scarves and handbags is one factor behind a 10% growth in sales, analysts believe.

Women are driving the £2.5bn market, making impulse buys of cheap items to get a shopping fix, market analysts Verdict said in a report.

Marks and Spencer had the greatest slice of the market in 2005 at 9.2% while designer handbags boosted sales.

Next, with a 6.8% market share and Claire's Accessories at 6.7% were second and third.

The sector includes items such as hats, ties, belts, handbags, cufflinks, sunglasses and fashion jewellery but does not include jewellery made from precious metals and stones or shoes.

Verdict consultant Richard Hyman said the retail market as a whole grew by just 1.5% last year.

But the accessory sector was a way of reinvigorating and changing outfits.

The report said retailers were keen to sell accessories because they take up little shop floor space and produce high sales densities.