Write a commentA fire at the Belfast Primark store in August inadvertantly increased visitors numbers at Buttercrane Shopping Centre in the final quarter of 2018. Centre trading was positive in Buttercrane over the final quarter with some stores recording their top trading figures ever for the month of December.
Peter Murray, Centre Manager reports: “Some stores performed particularly strongly and recording their best ever December trading figures in Buttercrane Centre, which is great news for the retailers concerned, Buttercrane Centre and indeed Newry itself.”
There were a number of factors which positively impacted on trade in Newry particularly in November and early December, including the strong Euro and resulting cross border trade.
“The impact of the Primark fire in Bank Buildings Belfast was felt widely by Belfast High Street traders but as a by product of that tragedy, many displaced Primark fans visited Buttercane, Newry – as it is currently the largest Primark in NI,” Peter says.
On line shopping continues to be a factor for all retailers, regardless of their location.
“It’s a challenge Buttercrane and our retailers continue to address with many offering click and collect in store and Buttercrane Shopping Centre have recently installed click and collect lockers for Amazon and other online deliveries, so that customers can collect their orders conveniently whilst they are in Centre and no longer miss deliveries.
Looking to 2019, Buttercrane continues to develop an appealing programme of events, mall activities, investing in customer services, award winning bathroom and parent and child facilities, offering all weather parking and ample onsite parking to make the Buttercrane Shopping Centre experience positive as we start a new trading year,” Peter concludes.
