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Two million shoppers ... it's Westfield's wow factor
Rebecca Lowe and Benedict Moore-Bridger24.11.08
THE new Westfield shopping centre has attracted two million visitors in just over three weeks despite the worsening economic downturn.
The centre's owners have revealed it has passed the landmark figure with tens of thousands of shoppers visiting the £1.7 billion centre every day. Customer numbers have dipped since it passed the one million mark within 10 days of opening.
There were long queues at the Shepherd's Bush centre's tills at the weekend, even though some shops, including Gucci, Versace and Louis Vuitton, are yet to open. Security staff were forced to operate one-in, one-out queues at the most popular shop - Ugg Australia - leaving a long line outside.
The centre's buoyancy contrasts with Oxford Street, where stores have been forced to offer discounts of up to 70 per cent. Footfall figures for Oxford Street were up 2.1 per cent on Saturday, compared with the same day last year, but it was unclear whether those figures were translated into sales.
John Tyrell of the New West End Company, which represents retailers, said: "Customers are definitely being selective about what they are buying." He said the next week would be "critical".
Last month from Oxford Circus to Primark near Marble Arch, 43 per cent of the 80 shops had mid-season sales or other special offers.
Only a handful of Westfield shops have cut prices, including Jaeger and Debenhams, who are offering 25 per cent and 50 per cent discounts respectively. It also emerged today that the Westfield outlet of restaurant chain YO! Sushi has become the top grossing of the group's 40 restaurants with net sales of more than £50,000 a week.
Chief executive Robin Rowland said: "The Westfield opening has been absolutely astounding. To get a 35 per cent return on our investment, we would have to do £18,000 a week. It's very early days, but it looks like it could return 100per cent in the first year, so I'm very happy." Simon Holberton, spokesman for Westfield, said: "We have exceeded expectations and are delighted with the level of trading. Food has been doing very well, and we've been selling well across the board.
"The effects of the credit crunch have not been obvious. We are all aware of it, and some retailers have responded with changing their prices, but trading is strong and anyone who visits can see how popular the centre is."
Karen Neeson, Sunday store manager for Next, believed the economic climate had only had a marginal effect on Westfield takings.
She said: "The credit crunch hasn't forced us to put our prices down. We don't tend to panic about the economy and prefer to decide to have a sale when we want to have one. We have not exceeded expectations, but we have met them."
Neither Jaeger nor Debenhams were available for comment.
Reader views (9)
Probably the best place to be in London right now
- Fabiana Bartelli, London
At this rate TFL will have to introduce even more buses. Going by the crowds waiting for buses last week on Shepherds Bush Green.
This should ease this week as the new Bus Stations open and Route 316 is extended to the centre although at this rate the 316 will soon need twin-deck buses. While new route 228 is due in January.
Its a pity the opportunity to make White City Station on the Central line (which is at sub-surface level) step free was not taken by the previous mayor as it will never happen while Boris Johnson as mayor.
- Melvyn Windebank, Canvey Island, Essex
I popped into Westfield today.
Observations.
(1) One must traverse a building site to get there on foot. The bus station has yet to be built.
(2) The layout is at best inept. Signs are to zones and villages and so on but not shops. Whizzy touch screen maps though and help desks with people who smile and are pleasant.
(3) Clone zone. Oh for some originality and non-corporate rubbish. Oh for some artisanal food stores, a decent butcher, an independent wine merchant and a cheese shop!
(4) Half the units, especially the up-market ones, have yet to open. A work in progress or cold feet?
(5) If you want to go to Waitrose, bring a sherpa guide. It's hidden away as if they are ashamed of it.
(6) Boiling hot. Carbon footprint?
(7) More staff than shoppers and those there are are not buying much.
(8) Some of the more pointless stores, those selling tat no-one really wants, already have a doomed look.
(9) The food area looked busy.
(10) The much-lauded Ugg was empty.
In conclusion, go if you want expensive sparkly things and size 6 dresses. Go if you're passing-it's convenient. Don't make a special trip-it isn't worth it.
- R, London
I went there on Sunday. Parking was free. Well designed, very pleasant atmosphere, packed with people but still enjoyable. It is a treat.
- John, London, UK
It's amazing that people are still attracted to overpriced shiny things when you can get them all cheaper on the web without the hassle of driving through London.
- Bob, Cheam
Forget all the hype put out by PR agencies, Westfield has a major problem and that is its design.
The entrance to the centre is poor. A long walk down a souless walkaway. Once inside the retail units are long and thin and relatively small. The net effect is that they feel very cramped and unpleasant.
While the center was busy on Saturday, the shops weren't only 1 in 20 people had bags indicating that they were actually shopping. Not surprised I gave up and went to Yo sushi instead.
- C, London
It's nice to know that there is a place where people without lives can go to view the things that they hold dear.
- Frederick, London UK
Went there at the weekend, Bluewater in Kent is miles better!! Bluewater has free parking a decent layout that flows and three shopping areas that have an individual theme and individual identity. Westfield is just a standard American style mall that charges for a visit if you use a car! I used the train to go there and even that was packed! Sorry not for me. I didn't purchase anything either.
- Tim, London, England
Westerfield is more like a tourist attraction for Londoners. My wife went there to see what the fuss was about but didnt purchase anything from the centre and she probably isnt the only one!
At the time of a recession only a fool would open another mall.
The only saving grace will be after xmas when the sales take off, and there is a genuine reason for going to Westerfield.
- Raminder Bhalla, Northolt
