City moves up retail league but experts say 'could do better'

THE Capital has powered up the rankings as a shopping destination despite the economic slump and ongoing tram work – but retail experts say it should be doing better.

A new authoritative report into the UK retail scene has shown that Edinburgh is now the 15th best retail centre in the country, with shopping expenditure estimated to be worth more than 1 billion a year.

It represents an improving performance on the annual "retail footprint" report by market analysts CACI, which is designed to help hundreds of retailers and property companies choose where to invest.

Edinburgh has risen up the rankings in recent years and has climbed up three places since a year ago and ten places since 2006.

But despite being a capital city, Edinburgh still remains below a wide range of English towns and cities, including Nottingham, Norwich, Leeds, Bristol and Leicester.

And retail spending in Glasgow – now the UK's second biggest retail city according to the report – is two-and-a-half times higher than Edinburgh.

Paul Langston, associate director for location strategy at CACI, said: "On a Scottish scale, Edinburgh is still seen as some way back in terms of being the shopping capital, although I am sure it would love to close the gap.

"It is such a prominent city in the UK but I think its retail doesn't quite reflect that.

"To be below places like Leicester and Bristol probably doesn't reflect where Edinburgh would want to be."

The report is based on a range of factors, including official data on retail spending, population figures, spread of retail and credit and debit card data.

Mr Langston said that investment like the 850 million scheme to create a "St James Quarter" in place of the St James Centre will help to improve the city's position.

And he said that the report looked for the first time this year at transport links – which means a completed tram scheme would help improve Edinburgh's standing in future years. The report also showed that Fort Kinnaird is the UK's sixth best retail park, while Livingston's McArthur Glen is the UK's sixth biggest factory outlet.

Separate new data released today by the city council showed that footfall in Edinburgh's city centre was down 6.4 per cent in April compared to a year earlier.

Councillor Tom Buchanan, the city's economic development leader, said: "I am very pleased that Edinburgh continues to rise up the retail rankings.

"Not only does this reflect the range of exciting new shops arriving in the city but it also recognises the hard work being done to actively promote Edinburgh to developers and retailers.

"With the redevelopment of the St James Quarter on the horizon, we will continue to market Edinburgh at international trade fairs, such as Mapic and Mipim.

"We will seek to build upon this momentum and unlock the city's potential."

Retail league and expenditure

1. London - West End 3.17bn

2. Glasgow 2.55bn

3. Birmingham 2.43bn

4. Manchester 2.32bn

5. Liverpool 1.96bn

6. Nottingham 1.81bn

7. Leeds 1.52bn

8. Westfield London 1.37bn

9. Newcastle 1.23bn

10. Norwich 1.18bn

11. Bluewater 1.14bn

12. Meadowhall 1.05bn

13. Bristol 1.05bn

14. Leicester 1.04bn

15. EDINBURGH 1.04bn

16. Cardiff 1.03bn

17. Milton Keynes 1.02bn

18. Trafford Centre 990m

19. Sheffield 970m

20. Reading 960m