Christmas Eve and Boxing Day sales increased by 23 per cent and 11pc against 2006’s results, while December 27 attracted more than 190,000 shoppers – a 5pc increase on 2006.
Customers were queuing as early as 3.30am. When the doors opened – in some stores as early as 5am and 6am – , retailers reported taking up to £1,000 per minute.
Centre director Robert Goodman (pictured) said that the last-minute Christmas shoppers had more than made up for a slow start to the festive season.
“The sales built on that momentum with shoppers attracted by the department and major store offers at thecentre:mk generating our biggest ever footfall in a single day,†he added.
One of the centre’s new seasonal lettings, Calendar Club, reported its highest turnover from thecentre:mk outlet, marking it as their most successful out of 1,000 outlets worldwide.
thecentre:mk also attracted more than 20,000 children to Santa’s grotto.