Destination retail giant Hammerson has released its latest Hammerson Retail Tracker (HART), reporting positive sales for watches and jewellery in July, up 2.7% for the month.
Monitoring sales activity across Hammerson’s UK-wide portfolio of shopping centres, the report reveals a snapshot of summer sales at locations such as Birmingham’s Bullring, Leeds’ Victoria Quarter and Brent Cross.
In particular, the report outlines strong sales for high-value men’s watches from brands such as Rolex and Omega, bolstered by strong demand from overseas visitors.
At Leeds’ Victoria Quarter shopping district, home to Berry’s and Watchfinder stores, the HART reports a 20% jump in jewellery and watch for the month of July.
Customers at the Bullring in Birmingham embraced Team GB’s Olympic success, with notable sales of the Olympic Omega watch designed with gold, silver and bronze time markers.
Weddings and summer celebrations also bolstered Hammerson’s like-for-like sales of Fashion Accessories in July, which jumped by 11.9%.
Hammerson CEO David Atkins said of the figures: “It is encouraging to see HART revealing an improving overall sales picture with continued appetite for high-value goods including jewellery, watches and technology remaining popular purchases. As well as an increase in demand from those making the most of the relative weakness in sterling, I am pleased to see that domestic consumers are treating themselves to seasonal favourites and one-off luxury items.”
Overall, the latest HART shows a 0.5% like-for-like uplift in its portfolio sales during July, as UK shoppers snapped up goods for summer holidays and special occasions, and tourists made the most of a weakened pound.
