Pedestrian-only streets boost winter sales bonanza

AN increase in pedestrian-only streets is definitely helping stores take in almost €15 million in a winter sales bonanza.

Dublin Business Association chief Tom Coffey explained: “It’s a transition that has happened over the last 10 years or so. We have more and more retail space — there are now 4,000 shops in the city centre; there are more and more pedestrian streets. So you can handle larger numbers of people than 10 or 20 years ago.

“Our footfall counts with our CCTV cameras on the streets were recording an increase of 7% this year compared to last year. That brings the figure up to 1.5 million people every two days. But because there are more pedestrian streets, more department stores and shopping centres, more people are inside and outside. So you don’t see them all at the one time,” said Mr Coffey.

A wet start greeted shoppers who braved the elements to pick up the choicest Dublin bargains.

While most shops opened at 9am, the Next store at Dundrum Town Centre stole a march by raising their shutters for a 5am start.

At Harvey Nichols in Dundrum a spokesperson reported: “Shoes and bags are the hot spots, the must-haves. We’re doing up to 50% discount.

“Menswear has brought a significant increase in male shoppers. You’d expect it to be lady-led shopping, but we’ve had a huge increase in guys coming in to the store today.”

House of Fraser, also in Dundrum Town Centre, boasted its biggest ever homewares sale. Reductions of up to 50% were available across the store, with men’s formal wear and ladies’ evening wear major attractions.

Arnott’s Henry Street store opened up earlier than usual (10am) with women’s shoes “very busy” as a lot of women came armed to buy a couple of pairs of winter boots. Great interest was also shown in household towels and linens and kitchen accessories.

Clery’s literally got the early birds lined up for their flagship O’Connell Street store. “We had about 30 people queuing from 2am for the special offers,” a spokesperson reported.

Ruth Kelly from Tallaght was all smiles with her €1,595 Smeg refrigerator she got for just €100. Ravi Pratap landed a 42” TV set worth €1,700 for €200.

And the first 100 people through Clery’s doors were rewarded with a full Irish breakfast.

Bella Mamma of Ranelagh chose to let others rush into things, deciding instead to begin its maternity wear sale this morning when up to 40% discounts will be on offer.

Amid growing concern over rising household borrowing levels, the Consumers Association of Ireland (CAI) had issued a warning to shoppers.

CAI chief executive Dermott Jewell said it was “not a good idea” to go into debt for the sake of a so-called bargain.

“It’s not a bargain when you have to pay punitive interest rates,” he stressed.