Retail sales up 2.3% at Network Rail managed stations
New figures have shown that total retail sales at Network Rail managed stations climbed by 2.3% over the festive period.
Reporting on the period between 10 November and 22 December, Network Rail said like-for-like sales edged up 0.6% and that sales reached more than £93.8 million.
While health and beauty retailers enjoyed a 13% increase, food retailers and news, book and confectionery retailers saw their sales rise by 10% and 9% respectively.
The stations also saw a 1% uplift in retail footfall.
Some of the best performing stations included London Bridge, Paddington and Charing Cross in London and Edinburgh Waverley and Birmingham New Street elsewhere in the country.
David Biggs, managing director of Network Rail Property, said: “Of course, there are wider challenges in the retail market and this has affected some retailers, but today’s results show that our strategy is paying off and that convenience is most definitely king, with station retail continuing to outperform the high-street.
“This is also at a time that we are investing in and upgrading our stations, which impacts on retail. However, this will have long-term positive effects – helping the railway to grow and improve for passengers, whilst creating great places for communities to thrive.”
