Partner Article

Record year for Peel Outlets' Lowry Outlet

The Peel Outlets’ Lowry Outlet Shopping Centre today announced that in 2012, footfall was up 6% and as a result, total sales figures were up 8.1% for the year. Despite the current economic climate being tough for retail in general, the Centre’s positive performance on getting a massive 5 million visitors through its doors is due to a raft of new signings, it’s location in an increasingly developing area, and a strong, targeted marketing strategy.

The Lowry Outlet continues to support the local & wider communities as in the last year the Centre has opened 12 new stores, with 25,000 square feet of leased space and has created 75 new jobs on The Quays. New brands include Puma, a popular brand that has increased the Centre’s key sportswear offering and The Body Shop, a great bodycare brand on the High Street that’s relatively new to outlets.

The Lowry Outlet boasts a collection of big name brands; offering High Street looks for less. The strongest performing categories, in 2012, is House & Home, which is up 61.5% YOY, stores include M&S Outlet Furniture & Home Accessories, Whittard of Chelsea, Wax Lyrical, Black & Decker and Belledorm. Mixed Fashion is up 14.8%, retailers include Gap Outlet, Marks & Spencer, Cotton Traders, Dickies and Trespass. Footwear is up 10.8% and Leisure showed an increase of 8.6%.

The Centre’s footfall and exceptional category sales were boosted by the introduction of its Victorian Christmas Market event which took place 6th to 9th December. The Lowry Outlet recorded its highest ever weekly footfall figures in over 11 years of trading, with over 137,482 shoppers flocking to the Centre. Over the event period, performance figures were at a high; footfall saw a 90% increase and total sales up 33% YOY.

In addition to this, sales at the centre’s Plaza restaurants are up by a massive 17.7% YOY and Food Court sales are up 6.7%. This rise is a direct result of the increased numbers at MediaCityUK which has boosted weekday sales in particular. MediacityUK houses companies such as the BBC, SIS, ITV and Salford University and is continually developing in commercial and residential aspects. The Centre also benefits from substantial secondary footfall from the likes of the Lowry Theatre, Imperial War Museum North and Manchester United Football Club, which has also played a significant part in the restaurant’s sales increase in 2012.

Jason Pullen, Managing Director of Peel Outlets, says: “We’re delighted that the Centre continues to push forwards, delivering positive footfall and sales for our tenants. As the Centre is now owned by Peel Outlets, the strategy is to build on the success of 2012 with events, brand offering and marketing, and really position the Centre to increasingly meet the needs of our diverse audience catchments. It’s a very exciting time for us all.’

For more information visit www.lowryoutlet.co.uk or follow us on Twitter @lowryoutlet

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Lauren, Mason Williams .