Leeds shopping centres buck national trend and celebrates 17 major openings
A Leeds shopping centres is celebrating after bucking the national trend with a bright 2025 being predicted.
Redical’s Victoria Leeds is celebrating a strong 2024 performance with robust December and annual sales increases, record-breaking footfall figures and notable new brand signings, openings and upsizes. Welcoming a 10.7 per cent rise in December’s seasonal sales and 10.4 per cent rise in yearly retail sales compared to 2023, Victoria Leeds’ year-on-year sales uplift significantly outperformed the national picture of 3.2 per cent and 0.7 per cent rises respectively, according to the latest BRC data.
Standout categories at the destination included Jewellery which saw an increase of 20 per cent, health and beauty with a 15 per cent increase and F&B noting a 12 per cent increase. Strong sales were further enhanced by impressive leasing activity throughout 2024, bringing 17 new openings, regears, renewals and refits, including debuts from Le Labo, Barbour, Caffé Concerto, Missoma and Cambridge Satchel, as well as upsizes from Boodles and Hobbs.
READ MORE: 80s superstars to headline massive outdoor Leeds city centre event this summer
READ MORE: Otley Bridge traffic lights installed after 'cultural and historical' landmark remains
Furthermore, while 2024 total UK footfall was down 2.2 per cent compared to 2023, Victoria Leeds celebrated a record-breaking year at Victoria Gate, marking a 2.7 per cent increase versus 2023, and uplift in total footfall for the year across the whole destination. The 2024 performance highlights included a stand-out Black Friday week, with a strong footfall uptake of 4.7 per cent at Victoria Gate, bolstering the impressive 20 per cent uplift in total sales across the entire destination. Categories which enjoyed exceptional sales growth included clothing and accessories which increased by 66 per cent versus 2023, men’s fashion which increased by 38 per cent, jewellery by 33 per cent and leisure and services by 24 per cent.
Rachel Bradburn, leasing director at Victoria Leeds, said: “2025 is looking like an exciting year for Victoria Leeds as we continue to build on our strong momentum of 2024. While we remain mindful of the economic landscape and industry challenges which lay ahead, our positive 2024 results reflect the strength of Victoria Leeds’ unmatched proposition, engaged customer base and elevated brand offering. Looking ahead, we’re focusing on welcoming more ‘firsts out of London’ as well as regional and city debuts for premium British, independent and international brands.”
Since Redical’s takeover in 2022, Victoria Leeds has agreed 37 new leasing deals, opened 25 new stores, upsized four existing units and facilitated eight pop-up activations at the destination.
To find out the latest shopping news in our city you can visit our Best in Leeds homepage. There you will also find a guide to great things to do in Leeds. Stuck at home and wishing you were there? Download your favourite artists from Amazon and Apple music.
Yorkshire Live has launched Explore Yorkshire, which will look at Yorkshire's unique identity and destinations and celebrate God's Own County for what it is - the best place in the world. Whether you are looking for a day out, a weekend away or to try somewhere new, Explore Yorkshire is here to help. Our brilliant new newsletter will bring all of this content together for you in one place - sign up here to get it direct to your inbox.
