BLUEWATER bucked the national trend last month, seeing increased visitor numbers and higher sales.

Spending at the Greenhithe shopping centre was up 6.7 per cent compared to the same time last year and was higher than the national average of 2.7 per cent.

The number of visitors was also on the rise, with figures showing a 4.6 per cent increase on February 2012, defying the national 2.4 per cent decline in footfall.

A strong performance from the shopping centre’s major stores John Lewis and Marks and Spencer were credited for the positive figures, as was a 16 per cent increase in menswear sales.

Sales of children’s clothing also increased by 13 per cent whilst catering also saw a rise of 13.4 per cent.

Bluewater manager Robert Goodman said: “Bluewater’s momentum in 2013 continues, driven by the quality of our offer, the breadth of catering and ease of access.

“More than that, however, we continue to innovate to enhance the guest experience, particularly through events at Glow, as well as strong promotional activity.

“Consequently, Bluewater provides guests with an ever-more engaging and rewarding experience.”

Bluewater will continue to expand later this month when a 12,000 square foot Superdry store opens on Saturday and Triumph’s first standalone store in the south east opens on March 28.