Designer outlet operator McArthurGlen has posted a like-for-like sales rise of 8 per cent in December as consumers shopped for cosmetics and sportswear in the run-up to Christmas.
Its Ashford, Cheshire Oaks and York outlets reported its strongest ever first week of sales figures for 26 December – 2 January. Sales at York and Cheshire were the strongest at +21 per cent respectively.
McArthurGlen offer its customers, who are estimated to be mostly women, year-round savings of 30-70 per cent on designer and premium clothing such as Hobbs and LK Bennett. Sales of perfume & cosmetics rose 18 per cent and sportswear and childrenswear also performed well and was up 17 per cent.
Sven Gaede, UK Managing Director, McArthurGlen, says: “Our strong Christmas trading results yet again highlights that a visit to a McArthurGlen centre has become an increasingly popular way to shop.”
The operator will invest £35m into expanding its Swindon Designer Outlet and have plans to double the size of Ashford Designer Outlet as well as enhancing other outlets.
Global shoppers, in particular from China and South-East Asia, also contributed to the strong Christmas trading, with a 12 per cent increase in tax-free spending at McArthurGlen‘s six UK centres in November, and further strong increases expected for December.
Nick Bubb, Retail Consultant, said: “McArthurGlen‘s designer outlets give consumers access to aspirational fashion brands that aren‘t widely available, and at discounts that seem more genuine than during the Christmas promotional frenzy seen at many multiple retailers.”
