Jan 19, 2011

Retailers “satisfied ” with growth in Christmas salesBy DundalkDemocrat.ie

Ireland – Retailers in Dundalk have been left “satisfied overall” with the amount of sales they achieved over the Christmas season.

Many shop owners awaited the season with apprehension, worried that the recession might damage sales, according to the Town Centre Commercial Manager’s (TCCM) office.

“The bad weather, however, proved to be a positive as well as a negative for Dundalk. Retailers found the beginning of December to be extremely quiet,” said the TCCM office in a statement.

“Yet as the month progressed Dundalk saw a growth in sales as the town became more accessible to customers.”

The TCCM office added that many retailers in the town saw a lot of sterling come into their stores. Harvey Norman’s in particular took in more sterling than euro over Christmas.

“This is a stark contrast to last Christmas where the people of Dundalk went up North for their Christmas shopping.”

Marshes Shopping Centre Manager Harry Traynor said: “The gap in product costs has closed considerably in the latter part of 2010, leaving it less beneficial to travel up North. We have noted a lift in Northern business but this is limited to stores that will accept sterling. We need to be able to service the community who choose to shop with us.”

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