// Festive cheer drives retail results for Network Rail
// Network Rail reports 4.48% total sales growth at Britain’s biggest and busiest stations in the last 3 months of 2019
// This was bolstered by growing numbers of train passengers and commuters
Network Rail reaped the rewards of a surge in train passengers and commuters in the golden quarter of 2019, with its retail estate recording an uptick in sales.
Station sales grew by 4.48 per cent to £228 million in the last three months of 2019, with Network Rail saying they are investing “every penny of profit” back into the railway.
Network Rail said grocery retailers within its network of stations performed well, recording a 6.4 per cent sales uptick.
READ MORE: The rise of airports & train terminals as shopping destinations
Home and lifestyle retailers also saw strong growth with 5.9 per cent growth, as did news, books and confectionary retailers with a 5.8 per cent increase.
Network Rail said the results reflected the success of its retail strategy, which aims to meet passengers’ growing demand for choice, convenience and experience.
Of its network of train stations, London Bridge was the best performer with sales surging 48.2 per cent, which Network Rail attributed to its investment in retail at the station.
The figures, which reflect sales between also show growth of 4.2 per cent in like-for-like sales despite a difficult wider trading environment.
“We know that passengers want convenience and choice, and today’s results show that our strategy is delivering just that,” Network Rail Property managing director David Biggs said.
“As our retail offer evolves, stations are becoming much more than just transport hubs – they’re now destinations in their own right.”
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