Media centre

Tuesday 28 Feb 2017

Investment in Edinburgh and Glasgow stations bear fruit as retail sales continue to rise

Region & Route:

Scotland’s Railway: Scotland

• Edinburgh and Glasgow record another period of positive growth in station retail sales between October-December 2016
• Rise in sales for 19^th successive quarter caps great 2016 for station retailers
• Performance reflects ongoing investment in the retail offer at both stations

New statistics released today by Network Rail show that like-for-like retail sales at Edinburgh Waverley rose by 3.6% between October and December 2016*, with Glasgow Central recording a rise of 2.2%. The figures come as the British Retail Consortium's 'Sales Monitor' recorded a like-for-like increase of 0.6% over the same period.**

The sales surge was boosted by the opening of sector-leading outlets at Edinburgh Waverley and Glasgow Central over the last 12 months. This includes Paperchase, a new JD Wetherspoons pub – “The Booking Office” and Upper Crust at Edinburgh Waverley, as well as a new Oliver Bonas, Krispy Kreme and Pret a Manger at Glasgow Central.

The new openings are the result of Network Rail’s broader strategy of investment into the Scottish stations in recent years and building a diverse portfolio of retail partners.

These initiatives are not only helping to improve passenger experience but also helping to make stations a destination in their own right with people seeing stations as a great place to meet, eat, shop and travel:

• Nationwide, just under £185 million was spent at Network Rail stations over the period, equivalent to almost £1,400 being spent every minute.

• South of the border, King’s Cross (+15.9%), Cannon St (+9.1%) and Paddington (+6.8%) also recorded strong growth following a flurry of recent openings.

• Birmingham (+3.8%) and Leeds (+3.8%) continue to grow above the national average in the final quarter of 2016, reflecting significant investment in Network Rail stations across the country.

• 65.8 million people – or one in three station users across Britain – visited a station retailer between October and December.

David Biggs, Network Rail’s managing director of property, said: “Today’s results show Network Rail’s ongoing investment in Glasgow and Edinburgh is delivering an improved experience for passengers whilst also generating vital funds to reinvest back into the railway.

“Our commitment to improving the retail offer across our portfolio means that station users have more choice than ever before, from coffee and food-on-the go, right through to high-end fashion and gifting.

“We continue to see consumers moving towards convenience shopping and stations are becoming an increasingly significant part of this change.”

Network Rail’s ongoing investment is continuing throughout 2017, with Edinburgh welcoming a new Pret a Manger during May and Glasgow Central welcoming two Scottish artisan food retailers - The Potato Shed opening in early March and The Soup & Juice Co making its debut later during Spring 2017. Both retailers will be located on the barrier line on the main Central concourse.   

The new openings at Glasgow Central continue into the Autumn with a new 5,000 sq ft pub and a 4,500 sq ft fast casual dining unit.