UK shopper numbers still dropping
Footfall figures show consumer confidence on the wane
March 18 2003
As the prospect of war in Iraq draws closer, the uncertainty seems to be hitting consumer confidence.
According to shopper traffic figures released by FootFall, the number of shoppers fell across the UK again last week for the third week running, dropping 1.2 per cent on the previous seven days.
Numbers were also down 2.7 per cent compared to the same week in 2002. The FootFall measure, which looks at total traffic through shopping destinations, has now been down for seven consecutive weeks on a year-on-year comparison.
Ian Wilcock, new business director at FootFall said: “Our figures reflect the continuing erosion of consumer confidence and highlight the impact of falling shopper numbers on the high street.
“The next few weeks will show if actual war, and an end to current uncertainty, will have a stabilising effect on consumer attitudes or whether they will continue to tighten their belts and stay away.”
