Over recent years, retailing has become more difficult year on year and, for many retailers, trading over Christmas and new year will be crucial.
Throughout the year, footfall has been down by an average of 4 per cent against last year. This was in line with the national average, although in Gloucester things were not helped by the summer floods.
Despite this, footfall held up well in November and during the first two weeks of December it slightly exceeded strong figures from last year, with uplifts at weekends, particularly on Sundays. Thursday trading, which includes the late night shopping period, has remained consistent with last year.
However, this week will be significant, because during the same period last year we recorded our highest footfall figure to date. Early indications are that footfall will not reach the same levels as last year this week, which may be because Christmas Eve falls in another week.
Most retailers have resisted the temptation to start Sales, with only 16 per cent to date displaying Sale signage and only two going into full Sale. Of these, most are fashion retailers that by and large are continuing to find trading difficult, as they have done throughout the year.
Jewellery has proved popular throughout the year and continues to be so and other top sellers during the month and for the second year running are the Nintendo DS and Nintendo Wii. The release of The Simpsons Movie on DVD also looks like it will be a strong seller.
Some retailers have also noticed an increase in shoppers using cash to make their purchases, as opposed to credit cards. This may reflect a more cautious approach to spending this year.
Visitors to our Christmas Grotto have increased 5 per cent against last year, which is encouraging, given that this is the first year we have been up against direct competition in the city. Christmas present donations by retailers and the public to The Mall's annual Giving Tree Appeal stands at 700 gifts, with a week still to go. As in previous years, this is a fantastic response that enables us to donate gifts to various local children's charities and Gloucester Royal Hospital.
Neil Draper, general manager of The Mall Gloucester
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