Springfields Outlet & Leisure reports higher spend than last year, post lockdown
30th July 2020
- Springfields last week recorded trading results up 2% on the same week last year
- Results are a remarkable achievement for the UK retail sector
- Footfall and sales have grown every week post-lockdown
- This is on top of 15 years continuous growth since Springfields opened
Since reopening to the public on June 15th Springfields Outlet and Leisure in Lincolnshire has once again demonstrated its resilience. When comparing last week’s trading (week 30) with the same period in 2019, sales were up 2% from the 96% of stores reopened. 56% of like-for-like stores traded positively and 80% of those reported double digit percentage increases. Footfall and sales have grown strongly every week for the six continuous weeks post-lockdown. This is a remarkable achievement for the UK retail sector
Springfields award-winning gardens and leisure have also reopened, and the combined outlet and leisure offering has attracted back existing and new customers to this popular destination.
The ongoing opening of new higher-profile brands continues with Dune London opening later in the Summer with a high spec fit-out, joining brands like Radley, Joules, Jack Wills and Crew Clothing. This has all translated into high quality turnover with spend per visitor increasing by 11% year on year. Fashion, beauty, home and garden are all performing particularly well.
Ian Sanderson, Director at SLR which developed, and asset manages the scheme, said: “This is another great milestone at Springfields which was designed to be different some 16 years ago. The scheme has attracted visitors back strongly as we’re able to offer an appealing and spacious environment. This positive customer response, reflected by outstanding annual growth in the post lockdown environment, shows that shoppers are keen to return and fully enjoy the experience at Springfields Outlet and Leisure.”
Last Friday July 24th it became compulsory for customers to wear a face covering and this has been adopted easily by customers and stores alike. This is in addition to the excellent new movement arrangements in and around the stores, mall and gardens, which have been put in place swiftly and positively from reopening. Springfields has also enhanced the guest experience by adding a UK-first, Ubitrac PPE Outlet, with high quality PPE which is always offered to the NHS first, as their priority customer.
Boasting more than 50 stores set in beautiful and award-winning, 25-acre Festival Gardens, the spacious outdoor destination is very well suited to our new retail norms, whilst providing an exceptional guest experience. Springfields attracts customers from a very wide catchment area from the Home Counties north of London, East Anglia and the East of England up to South Yorkshire, making this destination a popular day out. The green healthy space means customers stay longer and return more often, attracted by the safe shopping experience.
These positive trading figures demonstrate the appeal of the destination’s increasingly attractive retail line-up. Springfields Outlet offers top retail brands such as M&S, Gap, White Stuff, Next, Skechers and Ernest Jones, giving plenty of choice for customers at up to 60 per cent off RRP throughout the year. This is complemented by the leading, premium Blue Diamond Home and Garden centre, children’s Adventure Land and extensive F&B.
Research by Ken Gunn Consulting shows that Springfields Outlet has the third highest market potential sales density of any outlet in the UK. Located in south Lincolnshire, the 45-acre retail and leisure scheme is on the junction of the A16 and A151, close to the junction with the A17, three major arterial roads providing easy access to Peterborough, Stamford, Nottingham, Lincoln and Kings Lynn. Springfields is just a 25-minute drive from the A1.