Buttercrane Shopping Centre has reported a very busy last week of pre Christmas trading with footfall peaking on Tuesday December 23, known as ‘Panic Tuesday’ according to the Centre’s Manager Peter Murray. Mr Murray said: “While online click and connect are channels rapidly growing – many retail outlets saw a frantic final week of spending especially when there were issues with deliveries or delivery dates in time for the big day. The most successful retailers were those that combine excellent customer service with promotions and multiple sales channels such as click and collect and home delivery. The promotion of landmark dates such as Black Friday and so called ‘Panic Tuesday seems to reflect in sales in the shops with local shoppers picking up the vibe from these sometimes random days. Our stores experienced peak sales on Tuesday 23rd December. Christmas spending was constant across the month with many shoppers choosing to shop on late nights throughout December. The most popular stores were those selling technology, Jewellery and fashion. Men’s fashion in particular proved very popular in December. The Buttercrane’s phone retailers were amongst the busiest in the centre with all three shops topping their respective groups in Northern Ireland for best performance. Mr Murray added: “The relaunched and extended JD Sports which re-opened late in November benefited from a very busy last month of pre-Christmas trade. Their dedicated sports shoe room proved particularly popular.” With shops closed for just one day, the Boxing Day sales tempted the crowds out once again. Even though the Sterling strengthened against the Euro, there was no evidence of Newry shoppers going across the border to shop as there is still a significant price differential in comparable goods, despite the narrowing currency differential. And as the New Year gets underway, Ladies fashion seems to be most popular alongside DV8 who are hoping to clear all their stock in preparation for a store refurbishment next month.
6th January 2015
Newry Democrat
“