Network Rail has reported a 4.4% rise in retail sales in the 2018 financial year across 18 stations.
Like-for-like sales jumped 1.3%, well above the British Retail Consortium figure of 0.05% for the same period.
The recently renovated London Bridge Station - which is home to more than 70 purpose-built shops - saw its total sales double to £14m for the first three months of 2019 compared with the same quarter in 2018, while transactions grew by more than 75%.
Across Network Rail’s managed station estate, like-for-like sales rose by 2.4% for the fourth quarter (January to March 2019) and total sales increased by 6.8%.
As well as the usual on-the-go food and small purchase offers, customers were looking for traditional high street items, with niche station categories recording rises including technology (up 105%), home & lifestyle (up 25%), and books (up 18%).
“We know that convenience is king for our busy passengers and station users,” said Network Rail Property managing director David Biggs.
“That’s why we are delivering a passenger-centric retail offer across our estate and are pleased it continues to be successful despite some tough market conditions. We’re committed to delivering a positive experience for the 900 million people who use our stations each year. We continue to work with our colleagues to create modern railway stations that are also destinations in their own right - great places for people to shop, eat, socialise and travel.”
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