Network Rail has released station retail sales results for July to September 2011 showing a 3.85% growth in like for like sales, compared to the same time the previous year. For the same period high street sales, as reported by the British Retail Consortium, grew by just 0.10%, showing that retail sales in stations continue to outperform the high street.

Results were slightly up on the previous quarter (April to June 2011), which recorded a 3.7% growth in like-for-like sales, compared to the same time the previous year.

These figures were compiled from the results of retailers operating from over 540,000 sq ft of retail space at 17 of Britain’s biggest and busiest stations owned and operated by Network Rail, benefiting from a combined annual footfall of over a billion. Out of these stations, Gatwick Airport (+31.16%), Waterloo (+10.51%) and Birmingham New Street (+5.80%) achieved the best results of the period.

Food and beverage categories achieved the highest levels of growth, with bars reporting a growth of 10.40%, followed by specialist food retailers with 10.22% and restaurants with a 6.78% growth.

Network Rail has seen a host of new signings recently and December will see the opening of a new larger Boots at Waterloo Station spread over two floors. A number of pubs will be re-branded, including the introduction of a real ale pub, The Beer House at Charing Cross. In January, Mi Casa, a new Mexican restaurant, will be opening in Victoria station and at Liverpool St the old Food Court will be closing to introduce a new 4,500 sq ft ‘gastropub’ called ‘The Merchant of Bishopsgate’.

Next year, Network Rail will be launching nearly 50,000 sq ft of new retail space at King’s Cross and Waterloo stations.

Network Rail’s head of retail Gavin McKechnie said: “Our figures continue to outperform the high street in this challenging economic climate thanks to investment in rail and growth in passenger numbers, providing retailers with a competitive trading environment in stations. During the current economic downturn our retailers, and food and beverage operators, are working especially hard to provide the right level of service and convenience to make our customers still want to use us as a first choice.”

“We are always looking at new opportunities to improve the retail offer by creating more space and introducing a wider choice of brands to our stations. Next year we’ll be launching nearly 50,000 sq ft of new retail space at King’s Cross and Waterloo stations. We’re working with some exciting new retailers who are keen to benefit from the robust trading environment our stations offer and will be announcing the new brands at the beginning of next year.”

British Retail Consortium economist, Richard Lim, said: “It’s encouraging that some parts of retailing continue to perform well even against the harsh consumer environment of falling disposable incomes. Undoubtedly, train stations are places of high footfall and these figures demonstrate that commuter and tourist numbers are critical to the sales performance of the limited range of goods typically sold in these locations.

“Fundamentally, consumer confidence is weak. Our latest figures show shopper numbers across shopping centres, retail parks and high streets declining at the fastest rate this year, reflecting consumers’ growing concerns about the economic recovery, job security and personal finances.”

All profit from Network Rail’s retail activity is re-invested in the railway, limiting the cost to tax payers and passengers.

Network Rail owns and manages 17 of Britain’s biggest and busiest stations:

• Birmingham New Street

• Cannon Street

• Charing Cross

• Edinburgh Waverley

• Euston

• Fenchurch Street

• Gatwick Airport

• Glasgow Central

• King’s Cross

• Leeds

• Liverpool Lime Street

• Liverpool Street

• London Bridge

• Manchester Piccadilly

• Paddington

• Victoria

• Waterloo

As part of the continued investment in stations to increase capacity and improve the environment for passengers, 75,000 sq. ft of exciting new retail space is being created at Waterloo, Manchester Piccadilly, Birmingham New Street and King’s Cross stations.

• Manchester Piccadilly: Opening autumn 2011. The existing mezzanine will be used to provide seven new restaurants, totalling nearly 12,000 sq ft.

• Waterloo: Opening 2012. A stunning 220 metre-long balcony will be built along almost the full length of the concourse at first-floor level creating 20,000 sq ft of new retail space. This will allow the currently over congested concourse to be cleared, creating significantly more space and improved passenger flow to and from Waterloo East.

• King’s Cross: Opening spring 2012. The creation of a brand new concourse will mean passengers will enjoy over 27,000 sq ft of new shops and restaurants.

• Birmingham New Street: Completed in 2015. A striking new station concourse will bring passengers a bigger choice of shops and restaurants. Over 50,000 sq ft of new retail space will be opened in total within the new concourse, including a 10,000 sq ft mezzanine area.

Network Rail:

• Is one of the largest land and property owners in the country and will generate over £1bn in the next five years from commercial activities for re-investment in our rail estate. This would be enough to transform Birmingham New Street or King’s Cross stations, or put in place 5,000km of new railway.

• Already has over 560,000 sq ft retail space at 18 of the largest stations across the country – that’s more retail space than Bluewater – showcasing many leading high-street brands.

• Is also the country's largest provider of commercial property to small and medium sized businesses with over 7000 properties nationwide.

• In addition, works in partnership on existing development projects, including multi-million pound commercial schemes above our stations at London Bridge (Shard) and Cannon Street and our first multi-site joint venture: Solum Regeneration.

30 November 2011