Bumper weekend for retailers on the back of Style Birmingham

MAJOR stores in Birmingham reported a hike in sales of 60% last weekend as a result of the Style Birmingham Live fashion and shopping event hosted by Martine McCutcheon.

Retail Birmingham’s flagship event is now in its fifth year and it is estimated around a quarter of a million shoppers were in the city centre. They included 3,000 ticket holders who attended the catwalk show at The Mailbox with a guest appearance from Olympic gold medallist Greg Rutherford.

A number of events took place across the city as part of Style Birmingham, including The Show: Enchanted, hosted by TOWIE’s Lydia Bright at Bullring, fashion shows and beauty demonstrations at House of Fraser and many in-store activities around the city centre.

Louise Hamer-Brown, regional marketing manager at Bullring, said: “It’s been a spectacular weekend at Bullring with fashionistas flocking to the heart of the city to celebrate the arrival of the new season’s trends.”

Kathryn Neilson, general manager of House of Fraser in Corporation Street, said: “The store experienced a really positive uplift in sales on Saturday as a result of the show, with many new customers coming into store for the first time.

“The show gave us a fantastic platform to showcase the store, as well as the countless new brands and concessions that we have to offer.”

Footfall within The Mailbox dramatically increased throughout the weekend, where, as well as the show, a variety of activities were held to carry the shopping festival feel throughout the rest of weekend.

Tarah Hewitt, marketing manager at The Mailbox, said: “We’re delighted to have hosted this year’s main event and have heard some very encouraging and positive feedback from both our customers and tenants.

“The weekend saw some of our tenants have their busiest trading day of the year and footfall to the centre significantly increased.”