Leeds station on the right tracks as total sales rose 15% over Christmas period

Leeds Station experienced a very busy Christmas period as total sales grew by 15% between 19th November to 24th December, compared to the year before.

Network Rail has also released new results showing that the station’s retail sales for the festive period grew by 9.5% on the previous year, which indicates that stations are becoming key destinations for gifts, supermarket shopping and pre-Christmas dining.

These figures come as the British Retail Consortium’s ‘Sales Monitor’ recorded a year-on-year sales increase of 1% for December.

During this time period, 106 million people visited Network Rail’s stations, an increase of just under 10% on the same period last year. 32% of station visitors entered a retail outlet, and the increase in station retail purchases equated to total sales of over £83m.

The festive sales surge is boosted by outlets across Network Rail’s managed station portfolio.

In Leeds, the retail offer includes brands such as Boots and Body Shop and M&S Simply Food and Sainsbury’s. This is complemented with a range of food and beverage units featuring two pubs and a choice of coffee and food-on-the-go outlets.

David Biggs, Network Rail’s managing director of property, said: “The quality and diversity of gifts, food and beverage options now available to station users is a direct result of station investment across Britain, including in crucial regional hubs such as Leeds.

“Our major retail developments and strategy to bring in new and exciting retailers is helping us achieve our long term goal of improving the station experience for our customers, while crucially generating vital funds to reinvest back into the railway.”

Network Rail’s ongoing investment includes retail enhancement projects planned at stations across the UK, including Leeds, London’s Liverpool Street, Paddington, Euston and London Bridge stations.

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