Glasgow: Scotland with style Gets Christmas Wrapped Up Early with Launch of Shopping Website
A bespoke microsite: www.seeglasgow.com/shopping was launched today (Wednesday, November 16) which will highlight the strength and individuality of the shopping experience in Glasgow and encourage festive shoppers to the city during the run-up to Christmas.
The microsite has been produced by Glasgow City Marketing Bureau – in conjunction with Glasgow Chamber of Commerce’s tourism, retail and leisure members - to help potential shoppers at home and overseas get Christmas wrapped up early.
The retail project forms an integral part of activity undertaken by Glasgow City Marketing Bureau as part of the £1.83 million strategic positioning campaign for Glasgow: Scotland with style and will play a key role in ensuring the city’s continued economic prosperity.
Glasgow has developed more than its fair share of shopping malls, department stores and high street names as well as a wealth of specialist outlets, which offer visitors a different, 'local' retail experience.
www.seeglasgow.com/shopping not only details Glasgow’s best known retail treasures but also uncovers some of the city’s hidden gems and takes visitors on a whistle-stop tour of Glasgow’s diverse shopping districts - each of which has its own distinctive atmosphere.
From the bustling city centre and hip merchant city to the über-cool west end and laid-back south side, there are details of major retailers, funky boutiques, gastro-delis and lifestyle stores galore, which reinforce just why shopping in Glasgow is true retail heaven.
A series of four ‘first-person’ features written by 'Real People with Real Style' is included on the site, which gives a personal insight into what gives each quarter its own distinctive atmosphere.
Fashion globetrotter Linny Oliphant, Brand Manager at design house Johnstons of Elgin, describes what it’s like to live in a loft apartment in the heart of Glasgow’s vibrant city centre.
Fashion PR Chris Hunt, who runs Genuine, one of Scotland’s leading luxury goods creative agencies, explains why he relocated from London to live and work in Glasgow’s Merchant City.
Annie Good, owner of Ruthven Lane based boutique, Moon and local resident outlines why she has spent most of her life in the West End.
Jo Stewart, Head of Marketing at Glasgow based promoters DF Concerts enthuses about life on Glasgow’s South Side.
The site also contains some unusual and stylish gift ideas for the 12 Days of Christmas, many of which are exclusive to Scotland’s style capital plus a calendar of festive events and details of restaurants in each district.
Councillor Alex Mosson, Chairman – Glasgow City Marketing Bureau, commented: “Focusing on the city’s retail strength is an important strategic component of the Glasgow: Scotland with style campaign and one that we will continue to concentrate on with our key partners.
“We will also seek to capitalise on recent news that Glasgow’s Buchanan Street has been ranked as one of the world’s leading shopping streets. This clearly demonstrates to retailers, locals and visitors alike the prestige now attached to Glasgow and its credentials as a world-class shopping destination.”
According to research compiled by TNS Travel & Tourism, 58% of the city’s tourists cited shopping as their main activity during their visit to Glasgow, while 28% pronounced it their principal reason for returning. The combined average retail spend of overnight visitors to Glasgow per annum is estimated to be in excess of £100 million in local economic benefit. (2003/2004 Greater Glasgow & Clyde Valley Visitor Survey compiled by TNS Travel & Tourism.)
The festive version of www.seeglasgow.com/shopping will be online until January 06.
ENDS
For further information:
Nancy McLardie, Head of Public Relations
Glasgow City Marketing Bureau
Tel: 0141 566 0830 or mobile 07710 349394
E-mail: nancy.mclardie@seeglasgow.com
Notes to editors:
1. The strategic positioning of Glasgow: Scotland with style has secured £1.14 million from Glasgow City Council and £687,509 from the European Regional Development Fund through the 2000 - 2006 Western Scotland Objective 2 Programme.
Supporting Quotes:
Glasgow Chamber of Commerce Chief Executive Lesley Sawers said: “This is great news for Glasgow and re-affirms our status as the UK’s premier shopping destination outside London’s West End. It highlights the uniqueness of Glasgow’s retail offering, with a wide spread of high street brands and independent shops.”
Philip Mahoney, Chair of the Chamber Tourism, Retail and Leisure Group and Chair of the Greater Glasgow Hotels Association:
"This is a wonderful enhancement to the Glasgow: Scotland with style offering.
“Glasgow has had fantastic retail for many years, our visitors discover it and rave about it; this site gives them the opportunity to research the many available retailers before arriving and it provides those of us involved in the tourism industry with the perfect tool for passing on information.
“It does, of course, benefit all of us living and working here too, giving us the opportunity to plan a retail experience that's a little bit more adventurous with a touch more soul, rather than just migrating to the mall.”
Liz Baillie, Centre Manager – Princes Square said:
"The microsite is a fantastic idea and an excellent way to showcase the diverse selection of exceptional shopping opportunities in Glasgow. The launch of the website celebrates the wealth and true diversity of first class retail experience which Glasgow offers, and as well as being a great resource all year round, is perfect timing for festive shoppers looking for some added inspiration.”
Hamish Millar, Centre Manager – Buchanan Galleries said:
“This new microsite is a most welcome innovation in support of Glasgow’s exceptional retail offer. It will provide potential visitors to the city with an insight into the fantastic range and quality of shopping they can expect and may well tip their decision in our favour.”
Sylvia Rossi, Galletly & Tubbs said: “Galletly & Tubbs is delighted to be involved in such an innovative marketing campaign with Glasgow: Scotland with style. As such a popular short break destination for travellers we know the value of spreading the word about Glasgow’s unique and diverse shopping opportunities. Glaswegians are renowned for their sense of style and originality, that’s why at Galletly and Tubbs we endeavour to bring both Scottish and international design to the heart of the City. Galletly & Tubbs - the essence of Glasgow: Scotland with style!”