Holiday sales are making up for SARS ( 2003-10-04 10:33) (Eastday.com)
Shanghai retailers are expecting the on-going National Day holiday will help
them recoup huge losses racked up during the May weeklong holiday, which was all
but scrapped due to the outbreak of SARS.
The more than 3,000 outlets of the city's 261 major retailers saw sales rise
by 18.3 percent to reach 1.8 billion yuan (US$216 million) during the last six
days, the Shanghai Economic Commission reported yesterday.
They posted sales of 963 million yuan from Wednesday to yesterday, up 18.3
percent year-on-year.
"This time, city retailers are gearing up, arranging special promotions,
adjusting commodity structures and improving shopping environments to attract
customers as they expect a shopping spree after the sales doldrums during the
last weeklong holiday," said Chen Yuxian, a commission official.
"The out-of-town travelers, huge number of weddings and the World Carnival in
Pudong will also fuel the retail boom," the commission official added.
Nanjing road Pedestrian Mall fulfilled its status as China's premier shopping
street as retailers on the street generated sales of 98.5 million yuan during
the first three days of the holiday, up 9 percent from last year.
"Sales are very satisfactory during the three days, which is in line with our
expectations," said Qian Suyang with the East Wing of Shanghai No 1 Department
Store. "We promote autumn or winter garments like leather and woolen coats,
which are very popular among tourists from the colder northern region."
On nanjing Road W., Westgate Mall, Citic Square and Plaza 66 saw sales jump
by about 35 percent, fueled by pro-motions such as car shows.
As many top international brands have opened flagship stores on Huaihuai Road
M. during the past year, sales on the street jumped by 30.5 percent from a year
ago during the three days.
Sales at Xujiahui rose by 14.8 percent to hit 67.5 million yuan during the
three days. According to the Shanghai branch of the Bank of China, one of its
automatic teller machines located at the Grand Gateway Plaza in Xujiahui area
gave out 1 million yuan on Wednesday. While on an average day, it dispenses
600,000 yuan.
The city's 33 major supermarkets, hypermarkets and convenience operators
garnered sales of 537 million yuan in the three days, up 18.5 percent
year-on-year.
The 53 major department stores around the city said their sales rose by 15.7
percent to hit 251 million yuan.
The more than 3,000 outlets of the city's 261 major retailers saw sales rise
by 18.3 percent to reach 1.8 billion yuan (US$216 million) during the last six
days, the Shanghai Economic Commission reported yesterday.
