Post-Christmas sales up at UK outlet centres
Published: 10 January, 2011
Land Securities’ Factory Outlets have beaten record sales in the final week of 2010.
The two Factory Outlets at Gunwharf Quays, Portsmouth and The Galleria, Hatfield saw
record performances for retail and leisure in the week starting 27 December with a 6 per cent increase in sales for the year to date.
The most popular purchases at the centres were male and female fashion, both office and casual clothing, cosmetics and home ware.
At Gunwharf Quays’ overall sales were up 22 per cent compared to the same week in 2009 with a 23 per cent increase for retail and 18 per cent increase for leisure.
Some 233,000 customers visited the centre in the final week, up 14 per cent on last year.
The centre, which opened in 2001, has over 125 designer stores, bars, restaurants, a health and fitness centre, cinema, bowling alley, comedy club, hotel and nightclub covering 444,300 sq ft.
The Galleria achieved the best ever sales week post-Christmas since it opened in 1991 and saw a 10 per cent rise in sales with an increase of 10.3 per cent for retail and 7.7 per cent for leisure. Some 112,250 customers visited the 320,000 sq ft centre with its 85 stores and leisure units.
Land Securities’ portfolio director for retail and hotels, Deepan Khiroya, said: “We are delighted to achieve an excellent performance from our Factory Outlet Centres over the Christmas and New Year period.
“It demonstrates that customers see our outlet centres as a great day out. Gunwharf Quays and The Galleria have much to offer, including a great selection of brands, cafés, restaurants and cinemas.”
Similarly, Dalton Park outlet centre in County Durham reported a positive Boxing Day with sales up on last year
The centre recorded the best week ever during the third week of December with sales up 27 per cent on 2009 and 16 per cent on 2008, with many stores including M&S outlet, Next clearance and Radley smashing all previous records. Visitor levels were also up on the same period last year, showing an increase of 16 per cent.
Dalton Park’s sales for the year were up 3 per cent on 2009 and 11 per cent on 2008.
Centre manager Jerry Hatch is delighted with the current sales performance: “Retail in general has been hit by economic instability but we have kept our focus on strong brands, great products, great value and first class service and our positive sales record bears this out. Average spend is up on last year due to the improved quality in the brands and the great products on offer. We look forward to a strong start for 2011.”
