This Monday (28 November) is known as ‘Cyber Monday’, as it is traditionally the day websites see the biggest peak in online sales ahead of Christmas.
Although it can be all too tempting to try and get a head-start on the Christmas shopping while sat at your desk on a Monday morning, the City Centre Company wants to remind Plymothians of the benefits of shopping in the city.
Clint Jones, City Centre Manager said: “Plymouth has such a fantastic range of shops, from famous brands to independent retailers, that I am confident you can find everything you need for Christmas right here in the city. While it may be tempting to stay indoors and shop from the comfort of your couch, there are still huge benefits to actually visiting the shops, which as far as I’m concerned means shopping in Plymouth beats the online experience hands down.
“There’s no way a website can compete when it comes to customer service – if you’re looking for an Xbox game for your nephew but have no idea what to get, the staff at shops like Game have a wealth of knowledge and can help you make an informed choice – they can even offer you the chance to test the game in store which you certainly don’t get if you’re ordering on Amazon. The same goes for clothes shopping, we all know how sizes can vary from store to store, but if you head into the city to shop you can try before you buy and make sure that Christmas party dress is going to look as good on you as it does on the hanger.”
While online retailers are looking forward to a spike in sales figures on Monday, shops on the high street are preparing for yet another decrease in consumer spending, in comparison to figures from the festive period in previous years.
The Christmas period typically accounts for 18.5 per cent of annual retail sales, but a report carried out by the Centre for Retail Research earlier in the year predicted offline sales this year would be down on 2010 by £1.2 billion.
Plymouth City Council leader Vivien Pengelly added: “It’s really important that we support the city’s traders, especially during these tough times. While online shopping is convenient I personally love browsing around for those perfect gifts, taking in the festive atmosphere and excitement – and heading home to wrap up the goodies I’ve bought that day is all part of the fun. There’s a fantastic programme of events taking place as a part of the Plymouth Winter Festival, so for a true Christmas shopping experience, I really think Plymouth can’t be beaten.”
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