TOWN centre traders in Poole and Bournemouth seem to be bucking a downward trend in retail sales as stores elsewhere in the country struggle for business, it has been claimed.
The British Retail Consortium, which represents most major traders, revealed this week that retailers nationally had suffered their worst summer trading in 10 years.
During July, sales were 1.9 per cent down on the same month last year. It was also the fourth worst month for trading since 1995. High Street stores are said to have held an average of 45 sales days since last November in a bid to attract customers, compared to 35 in a typical year.
Among factors blamed for the slump are uncertainty about the housing market, people trying to cut personal debt, bad weather, rising oil and power prices, and even the terrorist threat.
But Helen Crawford, town centre manager for Poole, said: "We seem to be bucking the trend in Poole because we're lucky to have two high seasons - Christmas and summer. As far as summer trade goes, we are holding our own. Most of our retailers are very positive. There's a big buzz about Poole. It's a growth area and retailers are very keen to come in"
She added: "If you look at the national retailers that are doing well, they are selling stock at a reasonable price and moving the stock very quickly. They're looking at what's on the catwalk and copying it and even celebrities are buying it."
Steve Connolly, manager of the Dolphin Centre in Poole, said: "At the moment, we're rammed to the gills. Visitors are up four per cent and the general picture from most of the traders is that they have increased trade on last year.
"I would agree that people are looking for good value. They are being careful about how they spend their money and keeping a bit in their pocket.
"A lot of people come on holiday with an amount they budget to spend and they will spend it."
He sounded a note of caution: "I wouldn't want to give anybody the impression that it's an easy year. It's not going to be a record year, but we are still going to do quite well."
Bournemouth town centre manager Kevin Moore said: "Although we are seeing sales in Bournemouth, we're doing very well from the retail point of view at the moment. Traders are cautiously optimistic and if you take July, trading is up on this time last year.
"There's an 11 per cent increase in footfall and a 39 per cent increase in advance hotel bookings through the tourism unit, so we're seeing a lot more visitors coming to Bournemouth. It's a good place to come shopping and a pleasant place to be."
Mr Moore added: "I think shoppers are being more canny in how they spend. They're not necessarily buying the cheapest, but they're looking for value."
Traders are now keeping their fingers crossed for a good run-up to Christmas. A new development in Commercial Road, Bournemouth, which is due to contain Zara, H&M, Republic and another store, is due to be ready for occupation by November 14 and more German-style Christmas markets are planned.
Mike Stebbings, president of Bournemouth Chamber of Trade and Commerce, said: " Trading is tough. I think it stems back to last year, when there were warnings about the high level of credit card debt and people realised they would have to cut down on spending.
"There were general warnings about the economy and one or two fears about whether Gordon Brown's predictions about the economy were correct. There may well be the same amount of items purchased, but everyone is looking for bargains."
First published: August 13, 2005
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