Southside enjoys new year sales’ boost

The festive shopping period got off to a slow start this year, with Scottish Retail Consortium (SRC) figures showing a drop in like-for-like sales during November.

At the beginning of December, total sales were down 1.2 per cent from 2011, and SRC director Fiona Moriarty said the stats marked “the closing stages of what has been a challenging year for retailers in Scotland”.

But despite the tough economic climate, Glasgow City Marketing Bureau recorded 11 million people shopping over the eight week festive period — and post-Christmas sales continue to draw shoppers to the city.

A total of 14 million people across the UK were expected to hit the shops on Boxing Day, and southside shopping centre Silverburn welcomed 55,000 shoppers on December 26 alone.

The Pollok centre saw queues forming from 5am – ahead of stores opening – and director David Pierotti commented: “Silverburn was anticipating large numbers of shoppers based on our sales of gift cards, which were in excess of £1 million this year”.

As reported in The Extra recently, community groups took to social media sites this Christmas in a bid to encourage Glasgow and East Renfrewshire residents to shop local and support their neighbourhood high street.

The story followed an event organised by Clarkston BID (Bid Improvement District), showcasing the area’s best in retail – a growing success, according to organisers.

BID chair Debra Clapham commented: “It’s just a case of encouraging people back in and showing them it’s still a vibrant area to live, work and shop in”.

For Newton Mearns shoe shop Rogerson Footwear, post-Christmas sales are bringing in customers and keeping shoppers in the neighbourhood.

Co-owner William Rogerson told The Extra: “We’re really pleased about how busy it’s been. Our sale started on Boxing Day and is always a bit crazy on the first day, but sales have been going steadily ever since.

“Regular customers shopping locally has always been the case for us – we send postcards out in the neighbourhood and find that drives a lot of trade.

“The vast majority of people who shop with us are from the local area, and come back to us again and again”.

n Have you spent less this Christmas and in the sales, or are you taking advantage of the bargains to be had? Share your thoughts by emailing [email protected].