The Junction One outlet centre in Antrim, Northern Ireland, is bucking the economic downturn with a strong sales uplift. The centre reports overall sales up 20 per cent year-on-year. And footfall at the 245,000-sq ft mixed outlet and full-price scheme was also up with over 50 per cent of the stores recording double-digit growth figures.
John Drummond of The Guinea Group, Junction One’s asset manager, explains: “This year more than ever shoppers have been driven by the need to seek out bargains and get real value for money.
“ Junction One’s well proven outlet formula has delivered on all those requirements with the added bonus of extensive choice at one location complemented by free and convenient parking.”
Cross-border trade has also boosted the figures, with shoppers attracted not only by the weakness of Sterling and the cut in UK VAT rates. Drummond reported a 400 per cent increase in coach parties visiting the centre, with over 60 per cent of these coaches coming from the Republic.
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And Drummond had a pat on the back for all of the centre’s retailers: “Against a background of extensive High Street discounting, an extremely challenging commercial environment and a mood of consumer caution, we are delighted with the robust performance of all the retailers right across the Junction One centre,” he concluded.
