By Mark Mackay

PERTH’S TILLS have been ringing throughout 2005, with sales up markedly on the previous year.

Perth City Centre Management reported that, while foot-fall remained steady, shoppers had not been shy about opening their wallets and purses.

Quality, specialist and independent retailers, the shopping environment and a high-profile advertising campaign have all been cited as factors in the sector’s strong performance.

“Retail in Perth and throughout Scotland experienced a good year in comparison to the rest of the UK, which has seen highs and lows on the High Street,” said Jennie Noble of Perth City Centre Management.

“Nationally, retail sales percentages were up on 2004, although on a month-to-month basis it has been a case of peaks and troughs.”

Since October, however, sales growth has increased with promotions and seasonal goods giving food sales a lift.

The recent cold spell has also boosted sales of winter fashions.

Ms Noble added, “Perth’s retailers will now be waiting patiently to see if this was just early Christmas shoppers looking for a bargain or a precursor to solid growth.”

During the summer the Perth Speciality Shopping campaign kicked in, with new guides promoting the city’s independent and specialist retailing. The campaign comprised television, press and bus advertising, along with a competition, which saw a huge response.

On the back of this, the year’s strong sales have continued through the Christmas period.

Independent department store McEwans of Perth is just one retailer pleased with trading in the run-up to December 25.

“We are quite happy with the current Christmas sales,” managing director Michael Bullough said.

“We were well up on 2004 in the past couple of weeks, and it’s kept going.

“The highlights have been gifts, cosmetics and menswear, although sales have been strong across the board,” he said

“Fashion is traditionally fairly quiet at this time of year but it, too, has been doing well and we saw it up 8% in the week before Christmas.

Mr Bullough added, “You hear that people are always on the lookout for a bargain, for cheap things, but I think that people are still looking for something different and with a bit of quality.

“I’m quite happy with the way trading is going and I hope it continues into the new year.”

Perth City Centre Management pledged to build on its successes.

Ms Noble said, “We will continue to work closely with city centre businesses on a number of initiatives to promote specific unique sectors.

“These will include an updated version of the speciality shopping guide and eating out guide, together with public realm developments.

“The popular markets will also return and new events will be developed in partnership with other agencies to make sure Perth city centre remains an attractive destination for visitors and residents.”