Retail footfall improves in countdown to Christmas
Retail footfall in September was 0.2% lower than the same month a year ago. This compares to a year-on-year fall of 1.6% fall in August.
Figures released by the British Retail Consortium and Springboard in their monthly footfall monitor show that high streets and shopping centres experienced declines off 1.4% and 1.3% respectively. Despite the fall, this was best performance recorded by high streets for seven months, excluding Easter distortions.
Meanwhile, footfall in retail park locations increased by 4% year-on-year. This was the highest figure since January 2014, excluding Easter distortions
Helen Dickinson, BRC chief executive, said: “Retail parks continue to offer shoppers a full leisure experience and are already seeing strong increases in footfall. Retailers who have invested in stores in these locations will be hoping the draw remains strong throughout the winter months.
“The overall decline in shopper numbers across the UK now stands at 0.2% – a marked improvement from last August’s 1.6% fall. UK High Streets are showing their best figures for seven months with the footfall decline slowing to just 1.4%. This may offer a small crumb of comfort to retailers who will be hoping that this signals the end of shoppers deserting the high street and raise hopes of their return, especially with Christmas on the horizon.”
Three regions reported footfall growth in September; East Midlands, Greater London and the South East. This was the South East’s first move into positive territory since February 2015.
