Independent department store chain reports record Christmas period

8 January 2024

Sandersons Boutique Department Stores have enjoyed a successful Christmas period – with an increase in footfall and strong sales.

The independent department store chain has seen retail sales grow from £564k in 2016 to almost £7m in 2023 with a strong November and December, despite a challenging economic environment.

A good Christmas shopping period resulted in sales being up 5% on the previous year across the company’s three bricks and mortar stores and online.

Founded in North Sheffield in 2016, Sandersons also has stores in Stroud, the Cotswolds, and in Morpeth in Northumberland, proving there is still very much an appetite for shopping luxury brands in a boutique store setting.

Sandersons Boutique Co-Founder, Mark Dransfield, said: “We are really pleased with the Christmas sales and footfall figures across the group.

“Internet sales have grown significantly, with the bestselling products carrying discounts. Whilst footfall has maintained in our bricks and mortar stores, we have seen a slight reduction in spend. That said, we still find that some shoppers are buying big ticket items and there is an appetite for the luxury end of the market.

“In response to this we’ve just launched our collaboration with Xupes, to sell pre-loved handbags from Louis Vuitton to Chanel, Hermès and Gucci. These are real investment pieces and the response has been fantastic to this new range in our Sheffield store.”

As well as Xupes, the stores have also welcomed Weekend Max Mara and Marella to women’s wear during 2023, with Hackett and Boss joining the men’s fashion line-up.

Mark is also Chairman of Dransfield Properties, the award-winning regeneration led development company based in South Yorkshire with shopping centres positioned in market towns across the UK.

He continued: “Whilst there has been a reported straight line decrease in retail spend since 2006, we have seen growth in our areas due to our store locations.

“Our shopping centres are currently 98% occupied and we put this down to them being in strong market towns 30 minutes’ drive from major city centres, and positioned on major transport routes. We own the town centre car parks and can make them accessible and low priced which is an important factor for shoppers.

“Rather than relying on instore events alone, our stores benefit from being part of larger community events held by the centres, driving significant numbers in footfall.”

To shop the Sandersons range online visit: www.sandersonsdeptstore.co.uk.

ENDS

Photograph shows: Sandersons Boutique, Stocksbridge, North Sheffield.

For further information, contact:

Public Relations Department, Dransfield Properties Ltd
Tel: 01226 360644
Email: pr@dransfield.co.uk