Network Rail stations report retail sales growth
Network Rail has reported that retail like-for-like sales at stations it manages increased by 2.42% in the three months to the end of March. On a total basis sales were up 6.84%.
Its recently transformed London Bridge station, which now houses over 70 purpose-built shops, doubled its total sales for the first three months of 2019 compared to the same period last year.
Network Rail has also revealed that retailers welcomed over a quarter of a billion customers into their stores at its stations in its 2018/2019 financial year. Total retail sales grew by 4.36% in the period while like-for-like sales were steady at 1.32%.
David Biggs, managing director of Network Rail Property, said: “We know that convenience is king for our busy passengers and station users. 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.”
The results mark the eighth straight year and 32nd successive quarter that like-for-like sales have increased for Network Rail.
Biggs added: “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.”
