People and Place are what really matter most and what puts Derry at the top of the Christmas list.

Derry is the principal retail centre in the North West of Ireland and the retail capacity of the city has been boosted in recent years by the doubling of retail floor space. Locally based independent retailers, accounting for some 68% of the retailing sector, significantly complement an expanding range of both UK and Irish major high-street stores. To complement the retail experience, Derry's service industries also offer an added value s a hotbed of creative activity. The city hosts numerous theatres, museums and galleries offering the shopper a choice of creative and artistic activities.
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People and Place are what really matter most and what puts Derry at the top of the Christmas list.

Derry is the principal retail centre in the North West of Ireland and the retail capacity of the city has been boosted in recent years by the doubling of retail floor space. Locally based independent retailers, accounting for some 68% of the retailing sector, significantly complement an expanding range of both UK and Irish major high-street stores. To complement the retail experience, Derry's service industries also offer an added value s a hotbed of creative activity. The city hosts numerous theatres, museums and galleries offering the shopper a choice of creative and artistic activities.

Businesses in the city are gearing up to end one of our most challenging years on a high note.  Christmas and the New Year sales are critical to the business plans of all of our retail and service led industries.  The success of these companies is critical to the success of our city's economy.  Their success will guarantee jobs for many of us for the coming year.  So it is incumbent on all of us to think about where we are spending our hard earned money.

For the best part of 2009, many of us have been nervous about spending on luxuries.  For those who have been working on reduced hours, reduced pay or worst case have lost their jobs, even normal expenditure has been severely restricted.  But at Christmas and the New Year, whatever limited expenditure is made, could make a difference to the success or failure of our city's retail and service industries.

The message to businesses and to customers from the City's Chamber is to work together to give our local economy a much needed seasonal boost.  As we move into the Christmas and New Year spending sprees, the Chamber is encouraging consumers to buy local and business to give their customers the very best value for money.

Most economists see 2010 as being a turning point but all suggest that the upturn will be slow.  There will be much happening in the city in 2010 with the refurbishment of the city centre public space due for completion, construction on the Peace Bridge will be well underway, the Regeneration Plan we are all working on will be at the implementation stage and it's not beyond the realm of possibility that Derry will be named as the UK City of Culture for 2013.  All in all a year to look forward to.