Business support group York BID has just received the December spending data from data company Beauclair on York, which shows retail sales in the city were 1.7 per cent up on December 2023, compared with a 7.9 per cent drop nationally.
The data also shows customer numbers were slightly down but average transactions were up 3.9 per cent on a year ago. This could be due to inflation or customers still not wanting to skimp on Christmas.
York BID executive director Andrew Lowson said: “General retail, tourism and leisure were all winners in December, which correlates with the fact that 63 per cent of the spend came from visitors to the city, verses 37 per cent from locals – higher than the usual ratio and highlights York’s tourism draw at Christmas.”
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Mr Lowson welcomed York outperforming the rest of the country but noted the looming rise in National Insurance due in April.
Phil Pinder of York High Street Forum (Image: Supplied)
He told the Press: “As well as having implications on staffing, it is likely that supply costs will rise again as all businesses look to maintain their margins. This is likely to impact small businesses in particular and those towards the bottom of the supply chain. So we will have to collectively hope that consumer confidence is not damaged, otherwise we could be set for some negative business headlines at the start of 2025. “
Phil Pinder, chair of the York High Street Forum confirmed “the Christmas trade in York was good”.
However, he warned that 2025 was going to be a tough year for many in business.
He said: “The Government are increasing both Business Rates and Employers NI in April, along with wage increases this will be a triple whammy of extra costs for many to find.
“Expect to hear a lot of noise about this in the weeks ahead, as the daunting reality becomes real. I hope business in York will be able to trade out of this, or the Government has a serious rethink on the potential damage they are looking to inflict.”
Rebecca Layton, chairperson of Indie York, says many of the group’s 200-plus independent businesses reported similar or higher trade this year than in 2023, but this barely covers higher costs and wages.
There was ‘nervousness’ for the year ahead, she said, due to higher national insurance, increases in the minimum wage, coupled with cuts in business rates relief in April.
Rebecca added: “So we anticipate a challenging year ahead with all of the forthcoming increased costs which we will have to absorb somehow.”
York Gin reported Christmas was ‘as expected’ and ‘on target’ both in its shop and market stall.
Director Natalie Hall said: “The cost of living issues are still definitely with us – and customers are being careful about their spending.”
However, the company entered 2025 “with a very positive mindset” believing its “commitment to excellence in its product range and customer service will be the key to success.”
The York Roast Co, which has shops in Stonegate and Low Petergate, reported a ‘positive’ Christmas.
Marketing manager, Laura Ramirez, said: “Our Festive YorkyPud Wrap was a massive hit again this year, and we added more seasonal items to our menu. This led to a five per cent increase in sales over Christmas and New Year – and higher profits compared to 2023.”
