Christmas retail trading (29 November to 27 December 2014) at Network Rail’s 18 managed stations was the busiest on record, growing 15.8% with like-for-like sales growing by 10.7% – according to figures just released by the rail operator.
This contrasts sharply with the BRC-Nielsen Shop Price Index which recorded growth of only 2.6% for the 5-week period.
Shopping and dining at travel hubs is growing
The data indicates consumers’ appetites for convenience shopping and dining at travel hubs is growing, as their high street habits continue to change.
Managing Director of Network Rail Property, David Biggs, said the incredible figures are a result of an increased focus on creating stations that are destinations, not just places to get from A to B.
“Our strategy is to listen to our customers and put them at the heart of everything we do. We’re bringing retailers to our stations that give customers what they want in the time they have available and our results are showing this strategy is working.
“At Christmas time in particular, when people are balancing work and home life, our stations offer the right mix of retail options and food and beverage offers to complement the high street.”
King’s Cross best performing
Iconic London station King’s Cross was the best performing across the network with Christmas period sales growth of almost 50 per cent. Stations outside London also mirrored the festive trend with Glasgow and Birmingham growing by 26 per cent and 22 per cent respectively.
Director of Retail – Network Rail Property, Hamish Kiernan, said the boom Christmas period added to a successful year for the station retail sector, highlighted by some significant top-line figures.
“The numbers as a whole are staggering; almost 850 million people visited our stations in 2014 and of those people, over 34% chose to visit one of our retail units. That’s around 289 million people, a significant rise of over 13% compared to 2013.
‘It’s a very positive time in the station retail sector and we have a number of plans and projects ready to create even better environments for our customers in 2015.”
Sales growth
Top stations
- King’s Cross
- Glasgow
- Euston
- Birmingham
- Paddington
Average total sales growth +15.83%
Like-for-like sales increase
Top stations
- Birmingham
- Glasgow
- Liverpool Lime Street
- Euston
- King’s Cross
Best performing categories
- Bread
- Retail Services
- Clothing
- Pubs & Bars
- Cards & Stationary
Like-for-like sales increase +10.76%
Network Rail
- Reinvests all profits from commercial activities into rail infrastructure.
- During the five year period which ended on 31 March 2014, generated £1.4bn from commercial activities for re-investment in its rail estate. This is enough to transform Birmingham New Street or King’s Cross station, or put in place 5,000km of new railway.
- Has over 510,000 sq ft of retail space at 18 of the largest stations across the country, showcasing many leading high-street brands.
- Is also the country’s largest provider of commercial property to small and medium sized businesses, with over 7,000 properties nationwide.
- Works in partnership to develop railway land and property no longer required for operational use, including multi-million pound commercial schemes above our station at Birmingham New Street and joint ventures with the likes of Ballymore, Bloc, Kier and The Office Group.
- Owns and manages 18 of Britain’s biggest and busiest stations (as well as managing St Pancras International on behalf of HS1 Ltd).
Follow us on Twitter @networkrailPR #BetterRailway
For more information click here
Wired Media are the technology partner of Hospitality & Catering News
Wired Media increase bookings, revenue and occupancy for hotels, luxury destinations and other hospitality clients – Find out more