Union Square has enjoyed an "absolutely fantastic" weekend before Christmas. Image - Union Square Aberdeen.
Aberdeen Inspired is delighted that shoppers have been out in force in the last few days before Christmas to give the Granite City’s retail sector a festive boost.
Adrian Watson, chief executive of the Business Improvement District, said feedback from many city centre shops painted a picture of brisk trading – including Union Square describing the final weekend before Christmas as “absolutely fantastic”.
“There can be no better gift for our city centre shops than to set their tills jingling at this vital time of the year for traders,” said Adrian.
“And there is still plenty of time to come into the city centre to enjoy the festive atmosphere you can only get from shopping in person. You can browse the wide range of shops – from high street names to independent boutiques - for those presents you need, but also find some ideal gifts you hadn’t thought of.
“Shop local is a message which Aberdeen Inspired backs all year round, but it is especially important at this time when so many businesses depend on people coming through their doors to do their Christmas shopping.
His comments came after Ryan Manson, Union Square Centre Director, said over the festive period, footfall had been up on 2024, with some 60,000 customers flocking to the centre on Saturday.
Ryan said: “It has been an absolutely fantastic final weekend before Christmas here at Union Square. We've been busy throughout this year's peak, which really started in the week leading up to Black Friday.”
Trinity Aberdeen is geared up and ready to welcome customers in the final shopping days before Christmas. Image - Aberdeen Inspired
He said that shoppers had been visiting the city centre in huge numbers, underlining the terrific retail offer in the heart of Aberdeen.
Kenny Bruce, centre manager at Trinity Aberdeen, said that with three shopping days to go until Christmas, traders have been positive and footfall has been strong through the festive period.
He said: “Feedback from our retailers following the past weekend has been really encouraging, with a number reporting good basket spends and strong levels of intent from shoppers. Everyone is geared up and ready to welcome customers and visitors into stores for the final few shopping days.
“We’ve also seen the car park extremely busy, with our festive parking offering really hitting the ground running and supporting strong city-centre visits.”
Adrian said the impact of people coming into Aberdeen to do their Christmas shopping extends well beyond the retail sector, with many shoppers having a bite to eat at a restaurant or enjoying a drink in a bar.
He said: “Not only that, but they will also discover, or rediscover, just how enjoyable a day out in Aberdeen can be – whether shopping, eating and drinking or visiting the many attractions. That is something they will hopefully want to do all year round to help make the heart of the Granite City as attractive and vibrant as it can be.”