One of the best places to come to shop?

Cardiff & Co has welcomed confirmation that the St David’s 2 shopping development is likely to push the city into the top five of the UK’s best performing retail locations within a few years.

Research from Experian (a credit reference agency) shows that this year Cardiff has climbed one place to 10th from 2007 and in its projections for the next decade, predicts that Cardiff will have climbed to eighth in the UK, well ahead of rivals such as Bristol, ranked 14th.

Over the next 10 years, Experian believe Cardiff will move ahead quickly with the opening of the St David’s 2 center next year, giving the city a spot in the top five shopping destinations in the UK!

Bruno Rost of Experian is reported in the Western Mail newspaper saying:  “When you see a big scheme such as St David’s 2 taking shape,  it is going to have a positive impact. It is difficult to predict precisely, but you could see Cardiff reaching sixth or even higher over the next few years as result of St David’s 2.

However, over the long-term we believe it will stabilise and by 2018 it will be ranked eighth in the UK.”

This year Cardiff is immediately behind Bluewater in Kent which has a slightly higher total comparison spend of £1.55bn. The top location is London’s West End with a spend of £5.34bn, followed by Glasgow, Birmingham, Manchester and Liverpool.

“Cardiff is punching above its weight and will continue to do so. However, the city’s retail offer doesn’t just rest with the fantastic development in St David’s 2. There's the original St. David's center, Queen's Arcade plus the Capitol Center, not to mention Queen Street itself, plus the many Victorian arcades!"

So, there you go! Nive to know, eh?