Network Rail Retail Boom: London Stations Score a 10% LFL Surge
Short answer: London’s 10 Network Rail‑managed stations pumped out a +10.3% like‑for‑like (LFL) sales jump in Q4 2024—outpacing the industry average and putting a real sparkle into train‑station experience.
Industry Benchmark vs. Network Rail
- British Retail Consortium (BRC) recorded a modest +2% LFL growth for the same quarter.
- Great British Railways Transition Team (GBRTT) logged 405 million journeys and rail‑ticket revenues north of £2.58 bn.
New Games, New Bars, New Gusto
In Q4, 13 fresh food‑and‑beverage (F&B) outlets and retail shops opened across London stations. Notable fresh faces include:
- BrewDog debuting its first craft‑beer bar at Waterloo.
- Chopstix, InMotion and Change Group – each station’s very own London‑centric units.
Thirteen new brands added to the Network Rail portfolio, plus 30 in all—each hand‑picked to give riders a solid mix of shopping, snacking and coffee.
Top‑Performing Stops
- Charing Cross – a standout, posting the highest LFL sales in London with a whopping +24.4%.
- Clapham Junction – second‑place, driven by a footfall surge of +19.6%.
Nationwide Numbers
Across all 19 Great Britain–wide stations, total brand sales reached £199.8 m in Q4 2024, which is 10% higher than Q4 2019/20—an impressive +£18.2 m over pre‑pandemic levels.
Annual 2023/2024 retail output for Network Rail topped £842 m, marking a modest +2% rise on 2019/20 figures.
Why It Matters
More than just a tidy top‑line, the growth signals successful diversification: 30 new brands churn together an engaging station vibe, and the retail & F&B revenues drive network reinvestment into Britain’s rail conversion.
Official Say
Hamish Kiernan, Commercial Director, Property at Network Rail, expressed enthusiasm: “We’re thrilled by our Q4 sales across London’s managed stations. As fresh brands hop on board, the city’s mix of retail and food continues to delight both travellers & neighbours.”
