Liverpool has today emerged as a UK leader on the high street after new figures show the city is bucking national trends and enjoying record sales.

The award winning retail and leisure destination Liverpool ONE has reported a massive upsurge in sales and puts this success down to the variety of its offer.

While retail sales nationally have fallen by 0.8%, in Liverpool ONE sales have increased by 6.7%. These figures, revealed today by the British Retail Consortium, (BRC) are based on a like for like comparison for the month of June in 2013 and 2014.

Meanwhile, across the first six months of the year in Liverpool ONE, sales have increased by 4.6% and foot-fall has also gone up by 6%.

Chris Bliss, Estates Director at Liverpool ONE, said:

“We have experienced a very strong first half of the year and we are delighted with this success.

“We are confident that this will continue throughout the second half of the year.

“It is great to see Liverpool is really leading the way when compared to sales on a national level and we believe these fantastic results are testament to the strength of what Liverpool has to offer. They also highlight just how popular the city is as a shopping, leisure and tourist destination.”

Liverpool ONE has enjoyed a large number of individual successes during this time, including welcoming a raft of new stores and restaurants.

And there are further new announcements expected in the coming weeks.

Major new brands investing at Liverpool ONE include premium audio technology specialists Bose and global toy retail giant Toys R Us.

National restaurant group Bill’s will also open in the city centre in August, launching its North West flagship restaurant at Thomas Steers Way near Chavasse Park.

Caffè Nero is also opening a new branch on Lord Street to complement its sister-site in Peter’s Lane.

Local independent brand Drome, alongside its sister company FootAsylum, has announced it will be upsizing from its current base to a new location in Paradise Street. It is the second time the brands have upsized since opening in 2008.

French Connection, previously in Lord Street, has also relocated to a new base in Paradise Street.

Chris Brown, Director of Marketing Liverpool, said:

“These extremely positive figures are the result of a lot of creative and innovative work from the team at Liverpool ONE, aimed at continuing to enliven and enhance the visitor experience.

“This takes many forms, whether it be events like this week’s Open Golf Roadshow or enticing new stores to open up in the city. The one common denominator is that, like the city, Liverpool ONE never stands still; thus keeping the offer vibrant, which in turn keeps people coming back.”

Bill Addy, Chief Executive of Liverpool BID Company, which represents more than 1,500 businesses across the city, said:

“Retail is playing a huge role in the ongoing success of Liverpool city centre.

Sales and footfall are very healthy which shows how attractive Liverpool’s appeal is as a top class shopping and visitor destination.’’