This week wholesale markets were still trying to shrug off a pre-Christmas slump that has dogged trading since October. "It's been like this the last couple of years with no big build up to Christmas as people don't buy so much in advance anymore as stores only really close for one day," said a west London wholesaler. "Sales are down in volume but up in value this autumn and winter because of the sort of weather we had from April to September this year affecting availability."
New Covent Garden's Philip Emanuel reported a quieter spell than usual this year at the Nine Elms site. "It is difficult to pinpoint a reason why, but trade has not really picked up for Christmas yet," he said.
As far as the catering supply sector is concerned the quiet spell is mainly because Christmas festivities begin earlier. "It appears to be less busy as office parties and so on start in the first week of December so the last week is not as hectic as it used to be as trading is just more spread out over the month," said Mike Shooling of catering supplier Chef's Connection.
Northern markets have experienced a similar conditions these past few weeks and president of the tenants' association on Liverpool market Geoff Wells said longer retail hours are part of the cause. "People are not going to stock up now in the same way they used to when they know the shops will be open again soon," said Wells. "There are also effectively two separate trades now with the catering sector the one in expansion. At Liverpool, the market has been steady: it's not in the doldrums, but people aren't increasing orders either.
