HAMMERSON PLC 23.02.2015
Hammerson, the UK's leading retail property specialist by market capitalisation, reveals that sales across its UK shopping centres were up 3.5% year on year over the seven weeks to 14th February 2015.
Data from HART, Hammerson's Retail Tracker, which monitors sales activity across its shopping centres to reveal the shifting heartbeat of consumer spending patterns, indicates that consumers were guided by matters of the heart during recent weeks, with sales up 2.7% in the two weeks leading up to 14th February against the previous year.
Across the country, budding Cupids eschewed traditional chocolates for their sweethearts, instead splashing out on jewellery and indulgent beauty treats. For the seven days to 14th February, HART data revealed:
- Jewellery sales increased 8% year on year: designer watches and statement jewellery pieces were amongst the best sellers.
- 11% boost in Health and Beauty category: as men sought to spoil their ladies - and women prepared to impress their other halves - sales of pampering goodies increased 11%.
- Sales of gifts and cards spiked 14%: proving that mysterious admirers still favour the traditional method of demonstrating their affection, sales of cards and gifts rocketed 14%.
Across Hammerson's portfolio of shopping centres, HART recorded a boost within the restaurant and leisure categories on Valentine's Day itself, with restaurant operators benefiting from increased footfall as a result of the box office hit, 'Fifty Shades of Grey'. At Highcross in Leicester footfall increased 53.5% after 5pm, whilst at Silverburn in Glasgow, some bars and restaurant operators reported their busiest day of trading since opening in 2014.
Commenting on the results from HART, CEO David Atkins said:
"Valentine's Day is a significant date for consumers and retailers alike; it's striking to see that this year, higher-end items such as jewellery and beauty products performed particularly well. This supports the trend we have seen more broadly across the sector as real disposable income has increased, bolstering consumer confidence. Our HART data indicates that this trend is now shifting into the regions, with sales uplifts right across our portfolio.
Cinema operators and restaurateurs also reported a stand-out week as the latest blockbuster, 'Fifty Shades of Grey' proved popular, encouraging couples to stay late and take advantage of our varied dining offer. This exciting mix of leisure and dining, together with the very best retail brands ensures our portfolio of prime destinations continues to offer consumers the very best experience."
ENDS
NOTES TO EDITORS:
About the Research:
*The Hammerson Retail Tracker (HART) uses sales data from a range of over 850 retail units across Hammerson's UK shopping centres (comprising Brent Cross, Bullring, Cabot Circus, Centrale, Highcross, Silverburn, The Oracle, Union Square, Victoria Quarter, WestQuay) to provide an up-to-date look at sales performance, revealing the shifting heart beat of UK consumers' spending habits and retail trends.
For further information, contact:
Lindsay Noton | Head of Corporate Communications | Hammerson plc
Hammerson plc | 10 Grosvenor Street | London | W1K 4BJ
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7887 1111 | Mob: +44 (0) 7792 256 078
Email:Lindsay.Noton@hammerson.com
Josephine Corbett | FTI Consulting
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7887 1063 | Mob: +44 (0) 7703 329 964
Email: Josephine.Corbett@fticonsulting.com
About Hammerson:
Hammerson is a FTSE 100 company with a portfolio of retail property in the UK and France of around £6.7 billion, including 22 prime shopping centres, 22 convenient retail parks and investments in 15 premium designer outlet villages.
Each year, over 170 million shoppers visit the following shopping centres owned by Hammerson in the UK: Brent Cross, North London; Bullring, Birmingham; Cabot Circus, Bristol; Centrale, Croydon; Highcross, Leicester; Monument Mall, Newcastle; Silverburn, Glasgow; The Oracle, Reading; Union Square, Aberdeen; Victoria Quarter, Leeds; WestQuay, Southampton.
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