Broadmead Traders Look Forward To Positive Christmas
Thursday, 17th December 2009
Broadmead retailers are expecting an uplift in sales this year as they gear up for the last weekend before Christmas.
Despite the recession, shoppers have been digging deep, giving confidence to retailers in the city centre that they can end this year on a high.
With little more than a week left until Christmas, the shops are heaving with last minute buyers looking for bargains and soaking up the festive atmosphere.
Jo Hawkins, Project Manager for Broadmead, said: “Broadmead is an excellent retail offering with so much variety and value for money. This crucial trading period is going well for us and the feedback from retailers from national brands right through to independents is very optimistic. They are expecting to see an increase in like-for-like sales from last year.
“Over the past month we’ve had lots of activities taking place in Broadmead and have created a real shopping experience for consumers, offering something different each time they visit. This has been hugely successful with our first Broadmead Christmas Choir Competition for local primary schools and a packed programme of events along with the German Market all combining to attract shoppers from all across the region to the area; this has really helped us to increase footfall.”
Graham George, Boots General Manager, said: “I am pleased to report that each week we have exceeded our sales targets and I’m very ambitious about what we can achieve in the last week before Christmas.
“The quality and range of gifts available in store and across Broadmead this year is fantastic and we really have got something for everyone. There has been a lot going on in Broadmead throughout the festive period which has definitely helped bring customers through the door.”
Sales in Broadmead have been boosted by the recent opening of the flagship Primark store which is helping to draw in new shoppers to Bristol.
Marks & Spencer store manager Paul Denning added: “Despite the tough economic conditions we are having a really strong year with sales increasing. I am expecting the next few days to be extremely busy.
“With Cabot Circus now in its second year and the recent introduction of Primark, footfall is definitely up. Trading has been very positive and we are delighted with our pre-Christmas sales figures.”
Paul Davis, owner of Parsons the Jewellers in The Mall Bristol, said: “There is a fantastic buzz about Broadmead this year. Shoppers seem very positive and there is a real Christmas feel to the area. The new Christmas lights have made a real impact, the stores are exciting and you can really see family groups enjoying the shopping.
“Consumers are being careful with what they spend, but we have such a good tenant mix that they benefit from the variety on offer. I ensure that I manage my lines to provide the best mix of prices and as a result have seen a positive increase in sales.”
The outlook in Broadmead fits with the British Retail Consortium’s recent ‘Christmas Trading Snapshot Survey’ in which all retailers surveyed agreed that this year’s Christmas trading period would be at least as good as 2008.
Notes to Editors:
· Broadmead’s core opening hours up until Christmas are Monday – Saturday 9am – 8pm, Sunday 11am – 5pm. Late night shopping Thursday till 8pm.
· Please check with your favourite stores as opening times may vary.
Issued on behalf of Destination Bristol: Broadmead Management by Brandon Hill Communications. For more information or images please contact Amy Bullen on 0117 933 9547 or email amy.bullen@brandonhill.co.uk
