By Ryan Cooper-Brown

The Networks platinum plated street team have been out in the winter weather, bumping heads with local apparel retailers to find out how they are bearing up in this everlasting seasonal slump.

All of the store’s that took part in our survey admitted unsurprisingly a sharp fall in sales over recent months, with some stores such as Unique Boutique offering  up to 75%off of the sale price.  Our research also shows that the Northern Quarter seems to have been hit the hardest in terms of retail districts. Not only have we lost Zuzu Couture, but six out of the eight shops we asked admitted to having to let staff go.

Many independents have also extended their sale period until the end of February including Vicky Martin, the General Store, Ran, Edwards and all of the NQ shops such as the Post Office.

We also asked stores if they have seen a change in cliental over the recent period, the majority said no however the more urban store’s such as Intro, Artisan and General store report more and more people are buying into the “Scally look” ( Peter Leach, Intro staff).

"we ve had more women over 30 buying UGG's"                                                                               

Claire form Ran 

"Barretts maybe in trouble but we are staying strong"

The Edwards store                                                                                                                  

"People are going for bargins"                    

Jan from White Label   

This increase  in more 'urban styles' has lead to a knock on effect with these types of store’s  such as Intro pumping brands like  Ringspun Ed Hardy, Elvis Jesus and other sparkly numbers on to the shelves.  Is this a sign of social cohesion, in times of strife, do people feel a need to belong and therefore they buy their way into a tribe?

Does this mean we are now seeing the rise of scally fashion in to the main stream; I myself have no qualms with the look. I’m a big fan of Timberland and Lacoste, but sequins on T-shirts!  I think I’ll leave it up to the beefy scaffolders.

To find out more about the Manchester stores visit our Store Guide

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