Higher retail sales recorded at Network Rail managed stations

Like-for-like sales at Network Rail-managed stations for the first quarter of the 2016-17 financial year (April-June) increased by 4.4%.

This was more than eight times greater than the British Retail Consortium results for the same period (0.5%), according to NR, and the 17th successive quarter there has been an increase.

NR said the increase was driven by three key growth areas. It said year-on-year gift purchases rose by 43.6%, which suggests stations are becoming a destination for ‘gifts on the go’. Technology sales grew 20.6%, while accessories rose by 10.2%.

• For more on this, read RAIL 811, published on October 12.