New retail sales results from Network Rail’s managed stations revealed that 63.2 million people – almost equivalent to the entire UK population – visited a station retailer between July and September, pushing up sales by 4.47% compared to the same period last year.
Analysis from Britain’s rail infrastructure owner and operator shows that up to a quarter of people who use its stations, such as King’s Cross, Waterloo, Bristol and Glasgow Central, are not there to travel but to shop, eat or meet.
Overall, Network Rail’s station retail sales have increased for the 14th successive quarter, with all profits reinvested into Britain’s railways.
Like-for-like figures show average sales for July to September 2015 rose by 4.47%, compared to a slight increase of 1.10% by retailers on the high street, according to the British Retail Consortium.
Retailers in Birmingham New Street have reported growth of 3.48% helped by the opening of the completed station in September. The £600m redevelopment saw the introduction of a number of exciting new shops and restaurants open at the station, including three brands new to the Network Rail estate – Moleskine, Joe’s Coffee House and Five Guys.
Sales results at three London stations were the highest for the quarter with Cannon Street (44.55%) Paddington (18.83%) and London Bridge (17.24%) recording the highest growth across Network Rail’s estate.
Outside of London, Network Rail’s newest managed stations, Reading and Bristol, performed strongly with increased sales of 9.47% and 11.76% respectively.
Hamish Kiernan, Network Rail’s director of retail said: “These figures are further evidence that Network Rail is successfully modernising Britain’s biggest and busiest stations, transforming them into destinations in their own right. Our goal is to enhance the overall passenger experience and continue to cater to the demands of the travelling public as well as the thousands of people who live and work near our stations. Our success in boosting retail sales at our station is helping generate additional profit to re-invest in our growing railway.”
