Seven Dials maiden shopping festival increases footfall by 30%
The Seven Dials shopping district in London saw its footfall increase by 30% as it held its first-ever daytime shopping event on Saturday.
More than 130 retailers, cafés and restaurants participated in the festival themed event, which featured a pop-up lawn complete with deck chairs laid around the famous Seven Dials momument. Working in partnership with Camden Borough Council, Seven Dials was also traffic-free for the day.
Organsied in association with St Martin’s Courtyard and Shaftesbury, the Shopping Festival included a series of retailer and restaurant offers, combined with in-store entertainment and DJs. Shoppers enjoyed on-street performances by three Strummerville bands, The Dukes, Longtime Sun and Nicholas Howe, as well as complimentary popcorn, Pimms and snowflake gelato. In addition, free WAH nail manicures were offered to the first 50 shoppers to spend £50, and 100 tombola prizes were given away which had been donated by Seven Dials retailers.
Clare Harris, head of marketing communications at Shaftesbury, said: “We are delighted with the success of our Shopping Festival, which saw Seven Dials become London’s green heart for the day. Not only was footfall up significantly, anecdotal feedback from our retailers, restaurants, bars and cafés indicates the event was very effective in driving additional sales, which was a key objective from the outset.
Never Miss a Retail Update!“The Seven Dials and St Martin’s Courtyard shopping events have always been popular, but this year we successfully created something completely different that set us apart from other destinations in London, reflecting the unique character and offer of the area.”
Participating brands included Franklin & Marshall, which recently made its UK debut in Seven Dials, Diesel, Orla Kiely, The Vintage Showroom, B1866, Cath Kidston, Birkenstock, Josef Seibel, Banana Republic, Jack Wills, Industrie, Peter Werth, Carhartt and Joules. Each offered shoppers a discount of 20% during the Festival.
