More than two million people passed through the doors of the Leicester Highcross commercial property shopping centre in December-going beyond all expectations.
In figures that challenge the continuing economic downward spiral, the Haymarket shopping centre also reported bumper numbers, attracting more than a million people.
The flood of shoppers heading into Highcross on the lookout for bargains made it one of the best festive sales periods ever. Jo Tallack, Highcross manager said: “We’ve seen some of our busiest shopping days. It shows that consumers are looking for maximum value for money.”
She further added: “Christmas 2011 has exceeded expectations for us, with over two million shoppers passing through our doors in December alone.”
90,000 people headed through the doors on Boxing Day, whilst December 24 was even more chaotic with 95,000 shoppers visiting the commercial property shopping centre as the John Lewis sale began. Sales for the period were up on average by 10 per cent on last year.
Phil Toyne, Haymarket manager said that December had been a lot better than last year. “One or two traders reported they were 20 per cent up on sales. The Entertainer, our new store, did very well and exceeded its target. Christmas Eve was a lot better than last year and Boxing Day was very good, as it always is for us.”
Mum, Sara Sturgess, from Knighton said: “I try to avoid coming to the sales because I think I end up spending too much and getting carried away, but I can see why Highcross has been more popular this year.”
She further added: “People have less money to spend, so they’re more keen to get a better deal, and looking around there are some big discounts. I’ve got friends who have been doing their next year’s Christmas shopping in these sales!”
In other parts of the city, commercial property clothes store White Stuff, in Market Street; said sales had been strong in the run up to Christmas and were particularly good on Friday.
Joanne Ludwell, Assistant Manager, said: “A lot of customers we talk to say they’re shopping more online, but at the same time they’re handing over cash for goods so we’re not really noticing an effect.”
However, Justin Denham, of commercial property menswear shop Greenwoods, had noticed a difference. He said: “It’s been quieter hear that I would have expected it to be, even though there’s a recession. I think online sales may have hit us a little bit.”
Meanwhile, one of the oldest commercial property businesses in Leicester city centre is to close one of its two stores due to a fall in sales. Commercial property Irish Clothing, situated at Highcross, which fronts on to High Street, is set to close by the middle of February.
Plans are being made to merge the business with the firms other store on the corner of High Street and Silver Street.
Manager of the Irish Clothing shop, Tom Brown blamed the fall in sales to an increase in internet shopping and a decline in spending by consumers. However, the firm’s own online business increased sales in 2011 compared to the previous year. Mr Brown said: “Sales at the stores are flat and there’s no growth and I think this will continue next year.”
“We have the luxury of two stores close to one another, with one of them a very large store. We decided to move this business into the bigger one. We are reducing costs, but hopefully it will not reduce sales. It’s a shame. But retail is changing and we have to embrace that. Our internet sales are up and it’s growing. That’s the way things are going now,” Mr Brown added.
The commercial property retailer opened as a footwear specialist in 1995 after the group closed a previous unit in the Silver Arcade. It later sold women’s and men’s clothing, before focusing exclusively on women’s fashion.
Since the early 1970s the company’s larger commercial property city store has sold a range of clothing over three floors. The company’s history dates back to 1910, at a different location in Silver Street.
Mr Brown said the future of the four staff members currently employed at the Highcross store is still unclear. But perhaps some staff could relocate to the larger commercial property store and an outlet, which they own in Loughborough. This store already employs 35 people.
Mr Brown said the company was looking to either sell or lease the 1,076 sq. ft. of shop space over two floors at the Highcross unit. The site had until that time been occupied by Whitcher’s menswear store.
Speaking of the unit, Highcross General Manager, Jo Tallack said: “It’s in a prime location. Hopefully, it will be occupied as quickly as possible.”
Ms Tallack said there would be five vacant commercial property units at the centre when temporary leases came to an end later this month.
Shopper, Paul Jarram of Shepshed, said: “I’ve been in a few times and it’s a shame to hear its closing. However, I can understand why they’re doing it with retailing how it is at the moment.”
