BARGAIN-seeking shoppers are continuing to ensure York Designer Outlet defies the consumer downturn.

The centre near Fulford today reported that its second quarter sales were way up on last year.

That flies in the face of falling fortunes for the whole of the UK retail sector in that period.

Figures issued by the British Retail Consortium and KPMG show UK retail sales fell 0.8 per cent on a like-for-like basis in May 2009, and sales of non-food items were down by 2.4 per cent from March to May 2009.

Yet, sales at the York Designer Outlet’s 120 stores were up by 9.95 per cent per cent compared with the same period last year.

Accessories at the centre have been popular with shoppers, with a sales increase of 61 per cent, and designer collections have also seen a rise of 22.54 per cent.

Louise Wilcock, centre manager at York Designer Outlet, said: “The economic climate has encouraged people to make their money go a lot further, but instead of sacrificing quality for price, York shoppers want both and are opting for out-of-town designer outlets to pick up top brand names at discount.

“With our average footfall figures increasing by 6.52 per cent over the last three months, the discounts of up to 60 per cent available appears to be attracting more shoppers.

“Shoppers that haven’t visited a designer outlet before may be surprised by the breadth and quality of brands that are available. “We have designer fashion brands including Paul Smith, Margaret Howell and Hugo Boss, alongside high street favourites such as Next, Coast and French Connection. “There’s also a wide selection of homewares, sports brands, cosmetics companies and electrical goods on offer and all at discounted prices.”

York Designer Outlet boasts more than 120 top designer and high street stores, including Ted Baker, LK Bennett and Armani Collections.

All are sold with discounts of up to 60 per cent. Meanwhile, nationally retail sales bounced back last month.

A 1.4 per cent rise as the early summer heatwave drove shoppers into stores for summer clothes and outdoor goods.

Non-food sales over the three months to June saw their best result since at least October 2008, thanks to the heat-inspired surge in demand, according to the latest British Retail Consortium-KPMG Retail Sales Monitor.

Sales declines in the non-food sector eased to 0.7 per cent on a like-for-like basis between April and June.

There was more buoyant news for shoppers, as lower food prices caused the Consumer Price Index to fall from 2.2 per cent in May to 1.8 per cent last month.

Apart from lower prices for meat, milk and fruit last month, furniture prices rose by less than last year.