Hammerson's Retail Tracker (HART)*, which monitors sales activity across its UK-wide portfolio of shopping centres saw a mixed picture for consumer spend in the seven week period to 31 March 2016with overall like-for-like retail sales seeing modest growth of 0.4%*.This outperformed the BRC's and ONS's retail data for March which saw like-for-like sales down -0.7% and - 0.1% respectively.

Positive sales spikes were seen during half term and in the run up to Mother's Day and Easter, with families making the most of the centres' entertainment. Overall, sales for the seven week period were more muted. Storm Katie played its part in hampering footfall and sales of new season's collections, with shoppers shying away from the traditional spring fashion purchases which are usually kick-started by Easter.

Celebration Spending

As expected, consumers were out shopping to celebrate Mother's Day and Easter with sales for gifts and cards up 3.4% for the seven week period to 31March and a like-for-like sales uplift of 10.3% over the Easter weekend.

Sporty Brits step out in style

Sports and outdoor performed strongly for the seven week period to 31March, with shoppers' continued love for this category generating positive sales growth of 16.2%.At Bullring, AirMax Day 2016 (26 March) was seized on by sneaker seeking shoppers as they updated their Nike Air Max collections, with some limited editions selling out at the centre's popular sports stores.

Sports-luxe brands proved particularly popular at Silverburn Shopping Centre, Glasgow with the launch of Beyonce's Ivy Park new activewear label reflecting shoppers' continued love of the 'athleisure' trend well into early April with best sellers including slogan tees and bodysuits.

Mum's a real gem

During February half term, children across the UK were treated to new togs with sales of childrenswear up 23.1% and sales in this category continued to be buoyant for the seven week period to 31March growing 11%. Mums were duly spoiled for Mother's Day with jewellery sales up 12.3% during the week of Mothering Sunday (4-10 March), with shoppers at The Oracle in Reading splashing the most cash that week.

Commenting on the performance, CEO David Atkins said:

'Despite the sales period being quite clearly punctuated by peaks for gifts and holiday treats and a slower start to the spring season collections, it is encouraging to see that sales across the portfolio remained positive. The 'AthFash' trend appears to be the continued star performer, with shoppers across the UK updating their wardrobes with new sports kit for the spring season.'

ENDS

Media Contacts

Catrin Sharp, Head of Corporate Communications,

Tel: +44 (0) 20 7887 1063 Mob: +44 (0) 7717 763 552

Email:catrin.sharp@hammerson.com

Josephine Corbett, FTI Consulting

Tel: +44 (0) 20 7887 1063 | Mob: +44 (0) 7703 329 964

NOTES TO EDITORS:

About the Research:

*The Hammerson Retail Tracker (HART) uses sales data from a select number of tenants over a specific retailing time frame across Hammerson's UK shopping centres (comprising Brent Cross, Bullring, Cabot Circus, Highcross, Silverburn, The Oracle, Union Square and WestQuay) to provide an up-to-date look at sales performance over a select time period, revealing the shifting heart beat of UK consumers' spending habits and retail trends.

About Hammerson:

Hammerson is a FTSE 100 owner, manager and developer of retail destinations in Europe. Our portfolio of high-quality retail property has a value of around £8.4 billion and includes 21 prime shopping centres, 20 convenient retail parks and investments in 15 premium outlet villages, through our partnership with Value Retail and the VIA Outlets joint venture.

Hammerson plc issued this content on 25 April 2016 and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed by Public, unedited and unaltered, on 25 April 2016 06:09:06 UTC

Original Document: http://www.hammerson.com/media/press-releases/shoppers-sport-a-keen-eye-for-athfash-as-marchs-mixed-spending-signals-a-slower-start-to-spring/