35
DATA
CONSUMER CONFIDENCE ON THE UP DEVELOPMENT
UK retail sales values rose helped by some improvement poor fi gures last year when
BOOM COMES TO
2.8 per cent on a like-for-like in consumer confi dence and total sales growth dropped A HALT
basis from September 2008, the housing market. below zero.” Roughly 5.1m sq ft of
when sales had fallen 1.5 per Non-food non-store sales Helen Dickinson, head shopping centre space is
cent, due to low consumer (internet, mail-order and phone of retail at KPMG, added: currently under construction
confi dence and wet weather. sales) in September were 11.9 “The results for September and due for completion
In addition, Bank Holiday per cent higher than a year ago and the rest of 2009 need before the end of 2010,
Sunday and Monday fell in the compared with 7.9 per cent in to be considered in the light according to new research
September trading period in August. The faster growth rate of last year’s performance, from Cushman & Wakefi eld.
2009 but not in 2008. On a in September than in August which weakened as the year And although the status
total basis, sales rose 4.9 per was in line with the pick-up progressed. of a number of projects is
cent against a 1.0 per cent gain in store sales. Postal strikes “However, the pick-up in currently unclear the agent
in September 2008. are now a serious concern for this month’s fi gures is stronger expects completion levels to
Food sales growth slowed online retailers. than expected. Sunny autumn remain subdued for the next
further, largely refl ecting lower Stephen Robertson, weather and signs of a less two to three years.
food price infl ation. Clothing BRC director general, said: gloomy economic outlook The only large scale
and footwear picked up and “Consumer sentiment is volatile have boosted non-food sales, development in the pipeline
homewares and furniture and could weaken again and, particularly in children’s clothing is Westfi eld’s Stratford City
sales also rose above last throughout the fi nal quarter, all and footwear, and furniture and which, at almost 1.9m sq
September’s very weak levels, the comparisons will be with fl ooring. ft, will not only become the
second largest shopping
RETAIL SALES VALUE: Percentage change year-on-year
centre in the UK, but also
2007 2008 2009 the largest urban shopping
Month
Like for like Total Like for like Total Like for like Total centre in Europe.

January 3.1 5.2 2.6 4.9 1.1 3.2 In town regeneration
February 3.3 5.6 1.5 3.9 -1.8 0.1 projects remain very much
March 3.9 6.2 -1.6 1.1 -1.2 0.6 the trend in the UK, in
April 2.4 4.7 -1.5 1.0 4.6 6.3 line with the dictates of
May 1.8 4.0 1.9 4.6 -0.8 0.8 national planning policy. And,
June 3.0 5.1 -0.4 2.1 1.4 3.2 regeneration/refurbishment
July 1.2 3.1 -0.9 1.7 1.8 3.6 projects account for around
August 1.8 3.7 -1.0 1.4 -0.1 2.2 56 per cent of the medium-
September 3.0 4.9 -1.5 1.0 1.6 3.7 term shopping centre
October 1.0 3.0 -2.2 -0.1 development pipeline.
November 1.2 3.1 -2.6 -0.4 Scotland remains the
December 0.3 2.3 -3.3 -1.4 most densely provided
January – July average 2.7 4.9 0.2 2.7 0.7 2.5 shopping centre market in
January – December average 2.2 4.3 -0.8 1.6

the UK, with 3,500 sq ft of
Source: BRC-KPMG RSM (food & drink data from IGD)
GLA per 1,000 inhabitants.
The completion of the Union
Square shopping centre
in Aberdeen and the St
MEGAMALLS FAIL ON CUSTOMER SERVICE
Enoch Centre in Glasgow
Out of 372 UK shopping judged according to 20 are provided with information will further strengthen this
centres, only the Glasgow Fort customer service related promptly to plan their day out. position.
achieved a perfect score in a performance criteria, including One of the Fort’s main priorities Wales, which has
‘mystery shopper’ style study how quickly the shopper’s guide is customer communication traditionally been relatively
carried out by Magpie Research. was dispatched and whether and we’re proud to have come under-developed, and has
And only two of the UK’s top 50 names were spelt correctly. out on top.” the lowest shopping centre
shopping centres were ranked Glasgow Fort, with a perfect Magpie Research’s director, space per capita of all
in the top ten. score of 100 per cent, was Peter May, said: “Shopping regions in the UK at just
The research, carried out the clear overall winner, while centre websites of_f er a vital under 1,700 sq ft, will see an
this summer, involved an email Manchester’s Traf_f ord Centre, marketing opportunity to increase in provision of more
being sent to each centre by a which has won awards in centre management and form than 25 per cent due to the
‘mystery family’ planning a fi rst- customer service, only scored a key part of its customer anticipated completion of
time visit. The email requested -0.2 per cent. communications armoury. This three new schemes, including
a copy of the shopper’s guide Phil Goodman, general is particularly true for personal the second phase of the St
through the post. manager of Glasgow Fort said: interaction with new customers, David’s shopping centre in
The centres were then “It’s crucial that busy families which encourages a visit.” Cardif_f .
www.shopping-centre.co.uk October 2009 SHOPPING CENTRE
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