2011 Christmas sales boost for Gloucester Antique Centre

admin — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 13:57:30 +0000

Christmas sales boost for Gloucester Antique Centre

Gloucester Antiques Centre has reported a massive 33% boost in sales in December compared to the same period in 2010.

Centre manager Stephen Zacaroli said: “We are absolutely thrilled with our sales figures this year and almost can’t believe it. Nothing comes easily and it’s a tribute to our staff, our dealers who consistently stock their units with good quality, attractive antiques and collectables, and our increasing number of loyal customers.”

Stephen also pays tribute to the highly successful Victorian Market staged in the Docks before Christmas.

“It was such a success, full of atmosphere, sights, festive spirit and exciting goods to buy,” he said. “Over the weekend we welcomed over 50 coaches to the City along with thousands of locals coming down to enjoy themselves and get involved – it was a fabulous event and a massive credit to the City and Gloucester Quays for working together to make it happen.”

“There is no doubt that footfall is up at Gloucester Quays and that benefits the whole City,” says Stephen.

“But to maintain this we have to continue to deliver an experience our customers will appreciate and remember – we can no longer be an ‘antiques centre’ but we must provide regular opportunities for entertainment and excitement – and that makes working at Gloucester Antiques Centre a lot more satisfying.”

Sales up at Gloucester Antique Centre

admin — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 17:49:59 +0000

Sales at one of the South West’s biggest antique centres are up over 20%.

During September and October, Gloucester Antique Centre at Gloucester Quays, reported a sales uplift of 26% and 20% month on month.

The antiques centre has also brought in four new antique dealers, including a leather-bound book specialist, a furniture, fine quality porcelain, silver and glass dealer from Yorkshire and another selling the currently-trending shabby chic and retro household items and furniture.

According to Centre Manager, Stephen Zacaroli: “We are thrilled with the increased business, but we’re not complacent, we work hard to attract visitors who are mindful of every purchase they make.”

Stephen thinks that one of the reasons Gloucester Antique Centre is bucking the retail trend is that doesn’t look like most other antiques centres and offers a surprise for visitors.

“We’re in a beautiful, clear and airy refurbished Docks building, with a café and plenty of space to view the goods,” he said. “This is definitely not the stereotypical dark and dusty old barn where you expect to find a rare bargain, but are often disappointed.”

One of the centre’s most successful retail categories is jewellery. “Our jewellery ranges from antique Victorian right up to contemporary,” explains Stephen. “One of our top sales this year was a £3000 diamond engagement ring, but our dealers have made a number of other significant sales too.”

Other ranges performing well at the Antiques Centre, according to Stephen, are the retro goods, with 60s and 70s vinyl LP records particularly attracting antique hunters with more modest budgets, although a first pressing of a vinyl LP can fetch up to £50.

“As we become better known for the range of our stock, we are finding that customers are now expecting to be able to buy presents here,” added Stephen. “That’s the thing about an antique centre, customers really are buying something that isn’t available at the next shop down the road, and I think that could be why we’ve seen strong sales growth over the last few months.”

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2011 Christmas sales boost for Gloucester Antique Centre

Sales up at Gloucester Antique Centre