St James Quarter predicts 'record-breaking' December after busy Black Friday

St James Quarter in Edinburgh will finish the year breaking records, as the retail and leisure destination heads towards its fourth Christmas and the end of another successful year.

Footfall is expected to increase 5% year-on-year to around 20 million, with total sales up 7%. As part of this, retail will see growth of around 4%, whilst hospitality will end the year at 17%.

Record-breaking days exceeding 118,000 during December 2023 are also predicted to be smashed, thanks to the Quarter’s selection of stores such as H Beauty, Kate Spade, John Lewis, and more.

It comes after Black Friday saw one of the busiest weekends in the centre's history, with footfall for the three days over 310,000.

Susan Hewlett, Marketing & Communications Director at St James Quarter, told TheIndustry.fashion: "This year has truly demonstrated the power of curating a destination that resonates with both locals and visitors alike.

"By focusing on a dynamic mix of fashion, beauty, and hospitality, alongside exclusive brand firsts, we’ve created an experience that not only stands out in Scotland but also bucks broader UK retail trends.

"The incredible success of Black Friday, which saw one of our busiest weekends ever, is a testament to the strength of our offer and the loyalty of our customers."

The update follows another successful year for St James Quarter, which has welcomed a new international concept store from New Balance and a soon-to-open Polo Ralph Lauren ‘Icons’ store, as well as openings from Holland and Barrett, Moss, and more, "outperforming the market" with close to 95% occupancy.

Read TheIndustry.fashion's feature on St James Quarter: A blueprint for success by columnist Eric Musgrave.