City News

Christmas shopping has got off to a buoyant start this year, with the West Midlands premier shopping destination, Bullring, reporting an increase in footfall. The trend marks a buoyant start to Christmas for the UK’s 2nd city as shoppers have been flooding through its doors.

Despite gloomy predictions for the retail sector, footfall at Bullring is growing year on year with December figures increasing by 9% on 2005. With over 1 million shoppers visiting Bullring in the last week, the positive trade is in sharp contrast with the overall national picture where footfall was reported to be -7.6% year on year for the same period.

Tim Walley, general manager of Bullring, commented: “Since the Christmas rush started Bullring has consistently been beating 2005’s footfall figures so we are pleased to get off to a flying start.  To achieve 1 million visitors per week at the start of the Christmas period is great news for us and for the retailers in Bullring. 

“We have specifically seen increases in trade in women’s fashion, home wares and a surge for gadgets this year.  We also have been finding many families are visiting Bullring to get into the Christmas spirit, either by enjoying the Christmas carols sung by the choirs we have had entertaining shoppers or by visiting Santa in the grotto in St Martin’s Square.  Our aim is to be at the centre of everyone’s Christmas plans, whether they are just browsing or on a mission to crack their gift shopping.”