LAST month saw the busiest December on record for Manchester retail, with over six million people visiting the city centre.
"The Manchester Christmas experience just gets better every year and preparations are already underway to make sure next December is even more spectacular."
According to the Heart of Manchester Business Improvement District (BID), which represents over 380 city centre retailers, retail sales in Manchester outperformed the UK average during December. Nationwide sales were up by 0.4 percent, whilst Manchester saw a 5.4 percent rise compared with 2012.
Sales were also up 58 percent compared with November as shoppers spent for Christmas.
Footfall in the city centre was up 14 percent compared with December 2012 and has increased year on year and is up 23 percent compared with 2011 and 33 percent compared with 2010.
Outperforming the UK average again, Manchester footfall increased whilst the UK saw an overall dip of -3.7 percent.
The Manchester Christmas markets drew in the crowds
Councillor Pat Karney, Manchester city centre spokesman, said: "Once again, Manchester has smashed all records and proven that we do things differently here. People flocked to our city centre from across the globe to enjoy our world famous markets, as well as our shops, restaurants, theatres and bars.
"The Manchester Christmas experience just gets better every year and preparations are already underway to make sure next December is even more spectacular."
The Manchester Arndale, Exchange Square and Market Street were hotspots for shoppers as many ticked off their Christmas shopping lists.
Jane Sharrocks, General Manager of Selfridges Exchange Square and Chair of the Heart of Manchester BID, said: “It’s been yet another record-breaking month for the city centre and despite the UK experiencing a dip in footfall in December, it’s testament to the city’s phenomenal festive offering that we’ve bucked the UK trend yet again, experiencing growth in terms of sales and footfall, during what we believe was our busiest December to date.
“The retail mix, including the Christmas markets and general festive atmosphere created by retailers through in store entertainment, sales and promotions brought over a half a million people to the city in the space of just two days the weekend before Christmas.”
