The owner of two major retail networks in Northern Ireland reported the highest sales month ever in December at its first outlet, The Boulevard, along with annual sales growth of 23% from in the same trading period in 2019.
Owner Lotus Property also owns a retail and leisure destination, The Junction, which also performed well with sales ending the year up 14% on the same period.
Despite the threat to retail success posed by the pandemic since 2020, both programs have had resounding successes, with The Boulevard welcoming seven new brands on site, including Claire’s Accessories and Luke 1977’s first store on the island. from Ireland.
In 2021, The Junction submitted a planning application for the UK’s largest garden center retailer, Dobbies, to open a 110,000 square foot store. The £10 million investment will create around 150 new full-time and part-time positions and is the largest Dobbies store in Northern Ireland and one of the largest in the retailer’s UK portfolio.
The store is expected to attract footfall of around one million visitors a year, a massive boost for the program and the region, as well as a game-changer for the retail landscape in Northern Ireland, as the sector is looking to rebound after a difficult 12 months after the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Junction’s retail and leisure offerings have continued to grow over the past year, with the arrival of American lifestyle and footwear brand Skechers, Synge & Byrne and Heat MMA. all opened in 2021.
Commenting on the positive end to 2021, Lotus Property Chief Fire Officer Alastair Coulson said: “After starting 2021 in lockdown with a limited retail opening, we are delighted that The Boulevard and The Junction have finished with record sales figures.
“It has been an extremely difficult nineteen months for the retail sector, but we at Lotus Property are particularly proud of how everyone involved in The Junction and The Boulevard has worked hard to buck trends. retail and emerge stronger than ever.
“Looking forward to 2022, retail and leisure destinations have big plans and should see the positive trends continue. In Banbridge, exciting new stores are due to open with a designer womenswear boutique, Olsen is moving and reopening on January 21, to make way for a new international brand. The program will be further enhanced by exciting new arrivals adjacent to the Boulevard, in particular an M&S Food Hall and The Range, as well as the Park & Ride installation of a multi-million pound Game of Throne tourist attraction, which will will increase the program’s exposure to new clients, domestic and international this year.
“In Antrim, the new Hallmark, Denby and Pavers store concept, as well as a new Poundland ‘Diamond’ store concept, one of the first in Northern Ireland, continue to prove retailers’ confidence in the scheme. We are excited to expand our dining offering as well, as construction is also underway for a new Tim Hortons restaurant and drive-thru which is expected to open in early 2022 at The Junction.”
