HAMMERSON PLC 19.01.2015
Hammerson, the UK's leading retail property specialist by market capitalisation, reveals that sales across its UK shopping centres were up 3.1% year on year over the six weeks to 3rd January 2015.
Data from HART, Hammerson's Retail Tracker*, which monitors sales activity across its UK shopping centres to reveal the shifting heartbeat of consumer spending patterns, indicates a U-shaped trading performance, with consumers drawn to periods of promotional intensity:
- Black Friday produced 12% sales spike: for the week including Black Friday, sales from retail units across the Company's shopping centres were up 12%.
- Christmas Week produced 6% sales uplift: retailers ramped up activity in the Christmas week, with sales up 6% year on year.
- Strong performance continued into the New Year, with sales up 11%: reflecting positive consumer appetite for the traditional post Christmas sales period, momentum continued in the first week of January as shoppers sought New Year's bargains.
Using data from the six weeks to 3rd January, HART revealed the following highlights in key categories:
- Jewellery: This category was the clear winner of the festive season with sales up over 23% for the period. Customers across Hammerson's shopping centres treated that special someone to timeless pieces, with diamonds and Rolex watches selling particularly well.
- Mixed fashion: Sales in the mixed fashion category were also strong, rising 16.8% year on year. Shoppers across Hammerson's shopping centres stocked up on knitwear, seasonal wrap scarves and faux fur collar coats as the traditional festive weather kicked in.
- Health and Beauty: Sales were up 7.9% as customers snapped up fragrances and indulgent beauty treats. Fragrance gift sets were in such high demand in some stores that they sold out on Boxing Day.
Hammerson found** that 75% of consumers used Black Friday to treat themselves, indicating that the promotional day is more an occasion for consumers to seek bargains for themselves, rather than bringing forward the start of Christmas shopping.
Commenting on the results from HART, CEO David Atkins commented:
"Our data indicates a U-shaped trading curve during the key Christmas selling period, where shoppers took full advantage of the fantastic bargains available across our centres during Black Friday, and returned again in full force as the promotional Christmas week set in.
Our HART monitor indicates that jewellery and mixed fashion were the real festive winners this year, and the availability of click & collect services across our centres no doubt reassured customers in the crucial countdown to Christmas.
This positive trend has continued into the first week of 2015, with shoppers drawn to exciting New Year's promotions.
These sales peaks support the overall trend that promotions are a new norm in retailing and will continue to drive shopping activity throughout the year."
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.
**Hammerson's black Friday research polled 3,400 consumers from across Hammerson's portfolio of UK shopping centres.
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
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