Write a commentThe Tuesday before Christmas was the busiest day of this years festive shopping for Buttercrane Traders.
Buttercrane Shopping Centre reported a very busy last week of pre-Christmas trading with foot-fall peaking on the Tuesday (23rd)
Christmas spend was constant across the month with many shoppers choosing to shop on late nights throughout December.
Centre Manager Peter Murray commented: “While, online and click and collect are channels are rapidly growing – many retail outlets saw a frantic final week of spending especially when there were issues with deliveries or delivery dates in time for the big day.
“The most successful retailers were those that combined excellent customer service, with promotions and multiple sales channels such as click and collect and home delivery."
The most popular stores were those selling technology, jewellery and fashion, with gents’ fashion in particular proving very popular in December.
The Buttercrane phone retailers were amongst the busiest in the centre with all three shops topping their respective groups in Northern Ireland for best performance.
Peter adds: “The re-launched and extended JD Sports which reopened late in November benefitted from a very busy last month of pre – Christmas trade. Their dedicated sports shoe room proved particularly popular.”
Even though the Pound strengthened against the Euro, there was no evidence of Newry shoppers going south to shop as there is still a significant price differential in comparable goods north and south despite the narrowing currency differential.
With shops closed for just the one day, huge numbers thronged the malls again for Boxing Day sales. Ladies fashion appears to be driving most traffic and DV8 is proving highly attractive as they clear all their stock in preparation for a significant store refurbishment in February.
