Many shops report strong sales even as Covid cases rise

Large colourful signs advertising up to 50% off sales and other bargains were common sights in St Peter Port this week as retailers attempted to move excess Christmas stock ahead of the new year.

Matt Grange, owner of The Outlet in Market Square, said he had noticed a brief dip in sales and footfall after the first States Covid briefing in December, but had noted a steady increase in consumer confidence after masks had become mandatory.

‘At the beginning of the month sales were a bit down, but I think the face mask mandate, ironically enough, gave people the reassurance that it was safe to be in public,’ he said.

‘As the case numbers have risen, I think a lot of people have cancelled their shopping trips abroad and turned to local shops. In a way, it’s unintentionally boosted sales.’

Footfall and sales at Schuh on High Street have been consistent with previous years. Post-holiday sales were also in line with previous bargain periods and business was good.

Accessorize on High Street also had a number of markdowns.

Store manager Kristina Jehan reported high footfall and an overall good Christmas season for the business.

‘The High Street has been packed,’ said Ms Jehan.

However, Callum Purvis, store manager at FatFace, said sales and footfall had been very different since the first Covid briefing in December.

‘We have a footfall counter at the door and the numbers show that footfall is down 20-30% compared to last year,’ he said.

‘If you look around, the store looks a bit emptier than usual because of Covid-related stock issues and lorry driver shortages. The problem is getting some stuff into the store.’

However, he said post-Christmas sales have been approximately on par with last year’s season.

The general consensus among shops in Town is that 2021 and 2020 are very difficult to compare.

Last year, Body Shop store manager Chantelle Goubert said, the Guernsey Together spirit really prevailed and brought everyone out to shop local and support local shops.

While many islanders were still shopping locally, she said the current season had been underpinned with a bit of concern and anxiety.

Ashley Baigent, manager at the Land of Green Ginger in the Markets, said it was the store’s first Christmas season in its new shop and he was very happy with both sales and footfall before and after the holidays.

Mr Baigent had plenty of sale items but said knitwear and denim had been the most in demand this season.

At Accessorize, face masks have been popular, and gift items such as jewellery boxes and handbags have also sold well.

Meanwhile, coats and jackets have been the most in-demand items at The Outlet.

The Body Shop’s most popular sale items have been hand sanitisers as well as shower and body gels.