Matalan posts 5.9% Christmas sales rise
Discount clothing store Matalan has this week announced Christmas sales figures which were 5.9% higher than the corresponding period last year. This announcement from a company which has had its own difficulties in the past has further muddied the water on the high street with a number of very different trading statements coming to the fore over the last few weeks. While a number of companies have gone under it would seem that many who were quick to reduce their prices and attract customers have benefited substantially.
It is interesting that it appears to be the discount retailers who are benefiting most of all as more and more of the UK population look for that elusive bargain on the high street. It is also interesting that Matalan is also very active in the online community, another area of UK retail which has shown substantial growth over the last few months.
It would appear that in general both food and discount stores are doing better than the more niche market players on the high street. Whether this trend continues into 2009 remains to be seen but an active approach to promotion, marketing and pricing on the UK high street appears to be a vital element of the successful companies.
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