Retailers hope for last-minute frenzy as rain fails to dampen Christmas shoppers' spirits
RETAILERS are hoping for a last-minute festive frenzy after a month of flat sales failed to get the tills ringing.
And their Christmas wishes appear to have been granted as yesterday customers headed en-masse to shops across Hull.
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HEALTHY TRADE: Shoppers in St Stephen's Shopping Centre. Picture: Kate Woolhouse
The rain may have dampened spirits somewhat, but it did little to discourage people from hopping in their cars or on the busses, resulting in traffic chaos throughout the city centre.
The local picture reflected that across the UK, with many people holding off their Christmas shopping until the last minute in a bid to bag some bargains.
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And with Christmas falling on a Tuesday this year, shoppers benefit from an "extra" weekend to buy presents, which experts believe has also resulted in a slow start to sales at the beginning of the month.
Lee Appleton, manager at Prospect Centre, said: "The beginning of December was quite flat and the centre's footfall was slightly down, week-on-week.
"It was only down about one per cent but it was the first time that had happened this year.
"Retailers are also telling me they've had a steady start to the month while some say the run-up to Christmas has been quite poor.
"I believe it has a lot to do with the extra weekend this year, but we saw it starting to pick up around December 10 and now it's so busy, the traffic is still gridlocked outside."
Jim Harris, centre manager at St Stephen's, agreed sales had been sluggish but said footfall was now picking up considerably.
"We were running at about minus two, which is better than the national picture, which is around minus five.
"Shoppers are still being canny and hanging on – they know if they buy a jumper on Monday, there is a good chance it will be in the sales on Wednesday."
However, both centre managers agreed people waiting for the types of reductions seen over the past two years may be surprised.
Mr Appleton said: "A lot of shoppers are waiting for shops to reduce their stock, but retailers in general haven't bought the depth of stock they have had in previous years.
"This means they are in a much better position and able to hold their nerve."
Mr Harris said: "I think we will see a bit of red pen before Christmas but the economic climate has been tough for four years.
"Retailers haven't the same levels of stock, and so they aren't carrying the same amount of coats and scarves, for example."
Comments
by AstynomiaKats
Friday, December 21 2012, 8:19PM
“Is that St.Windy's in the picture HDM? Never miss a chance to big up the old wind tunnel do you ?”
by farfutavision
Friday, December 21 2012, 3:12PM
“i long for the day when the madness of spend spend spend ends at Christmas, when the shops close for more than one day, when it is about quality time with friends and family, and not about how many presents you have been given.
Maybe we are all wising up to the great big Christmas rip off?”
by fairway1
Friday, December 21 2012, 2:38PM
“'Busses?' Shame on you Hull Daily Mail!
'....resulting in traffic chaos throughout the city centre.' And right there folks, is why Hull is seen as backwards by the rest of the UK & why a lot of the local people choose to shop elsewhere i.e user friendly retail parks.”
by scoobyears
Friday, December 21 2012, 12:38PM
“"This means they are in a much better position and able to hold their nerve."
what that actually means is, we're ripping off the customer as much as possible by inflating the prices, now we'll sell it to them at the price it should be and still make a profit..”
by dontwo
Friday, December 21 2012, 10:55AM
“Maybe, because most people are skint and with no choice but to,we are starting to rediscover Christmas for what it really was all supposed to be about. You know,not about ringing tills and profit like some of the guys in this article have led to us to believe in the past, but,if we are lucky enough, just being with friends and family,the season of goodwill to men and all that other REAL Christmassey stuff. Accept that, and actually it doesnt seem all that bad we cant spend a fortune anymore on our loved ones and for once we have to ignore this false consumerism because we have no choice. All this whining by the shopping centre managers about people not spending wads at Christmas just seems crass.”
by Ambertigerfan
Friday, December 21 2012, 9:48AM
“Gridlock? There is no road that can't be widened; where is the political will to get Hull moving?
Good transport = healthy economy = good for everyone in Hull!”
by hugostiglitz
Friday, December 21 2012, 9:31AM
“It might have made sense in Victorian times when for many it was one of the few times in the year they'd be guaranteed a proper meal but otherwise it's a bit nuts.”
by goldenspecial
Friday, December 21 2012, 7:43AM
“Hopefully we will see the link ended between Christmas and consumerism over the next few years.
The pressure to conform and buy, coupled with the financial squeeze is just proving too much for many people to take. Something has to give, the cupboard is bare.”