Christmas sales grow at St Pancras International despite retail gloom
Commuters choosing to do their Christmas shopping at St Pancras International station grew 6.3 per cent in 2018 compared to the year before, according to figures released by the station's operator today.
The rise was driven by growing passenger numbers and strong growth in non-food sales, the company said.
St Pancras has welcomed a number of new and refurbished stores in recent years, including Fortnum and Mason, grocer to the Queen.
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Other outlets include department store John Lewis, luxury fashion house Chanel and Hamley’s, the toy store.
Against a backdrop of high street gloom, the station’s operator said non-food sales rose 8.7 per cent compared to the same period in 2017 while revenue in the food category increased by 4.1 per cent.
“St Pancras International has become one of London’s landmark destinations to visit during the Christmas period,” said Wendy Spinks, commercial director of HS1, the company that owns and operates the station.
“From the spectacular Christmas tree, to the great selection of shops, bars and restaurants on offer, we recognise the importance of this combination for a great customer experience and are pleased to see a strong set of results from our tenants during this crucial period.”
St Pancras International originally opened in 1868, becoming the largest space enclosed by a single roof in the world.
The station reopened in 2007 following an £800m restoration project.
Read more: New Fortnum and Mason store opens in the heart of the City
Its retail offering now includes a fresh produce market, the longest Champagne bar in Europe and a gastro pub.
The station’s operator, which also runs Stratford International station, said its pianos and Terrace Wires art exhibition also proved popular with passengers.
One of the free-to-play pianos was donated to the station by Sir Elton John in 2016.