Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
1m customers in
City set for Christmas shopping bonanza
DUNDEE traders are preparing for a bumper festive period — with shoppers set to splash out more than £18 million on Christmas spending in the city centre.
Reform Street, Commercial Street and the High Street were a hive of activity today while many locals began ticking items off their Christmas lists as December arrived.
The city’s Overgate and Wellgate shopping centres were also busy, with a boost in spending expected in the coming weeks.
Overgate manager Malcolm Angus told the Tele staff were expecting record numbers to shop at the centre during the Christmas period.
He added: “Between now and Christmas Eve, which is 25 days, there would be an expectation to achieve footfall in the region of more than one million people.
“In terms of spend, we estimate in the region of £18m plus for the next four weeks or so.”
Scott Wilson, manager of independent clothing retailer Manifesto in Commercial Street, said although there were no special offers on for Black Friday, the shop had seen a steady pick-up in sales since then.
He said: “The cold snap a few weeks ago helped for us as people were in buying jackets. But in terms of Christmas shopping, it’s really picked up since last Friday.
“For us it tends to build up and just get busier and busier — maybe you have folk realising they need something and there’s an element of blind panic when you get your final customers in on Christmas Eve. We’ve just got a new range of spring and summer stuff in early, and a full size range, which is perfect timing.”
Peter Aitken, manager of the Wellgate, said that despite the closure of BHS earlier this year — one of the centre’s biggest retailers — shops had been busy.
He said: “We are looking forward to the festive season here at Wellgate, with hopes for a positive experience for both our retailers and their customers.
“Despite the closure of BHS earlier this year, footfall has remained strong and the effect has not been as significant as we had envisaged.
“Indeed, retailers have commented that sales have, i n some cases, exceeded last year with other shops reporting that sales have remained consistent with last year.
“Our footwear, fashion and toy offers are all trading very well and the entertainment over the past two weekends has definitely brought more customers into the centre.”
Some of those browsing shops in the city centre spoke to the Tele about their festive retail habits.
Kelly Scott, 28, said she had usually started her Christmas shopping by now, but was later than usual.
Kelly, who lives in Newport and runs the Newport Restaurant, said: “I attempted to do some shopping today but it was just so busy.
“I think I’ll try to do some online to start with.
“I’ve got five brothers and sisters and a few others to buy for so proba-