Footfall gap continues to narrow from 2019
New figures have shown that the gap in UK retail footfall compared to 2019 narrowed in October to -9.8% from -12.6% in September.
The figures from Springboard reveal that retailers benefited from a strong performance during half term week, when footfall was up 8% on the prior week.
However, the uplift from 2021 diminished for the third consecutive month in October to a rise of just 5.2%. This was a third of the increase seen in July when shopper visits rose by 15.6%.
Giving an update on the different shopping destinations, Springboard said footfall in high streets was 7.8% higher than in 2021 while shopping centres and retail parks saw increases of 4.7% and 0.1%.
Looking ahead, Diane Wehrle, Springboard marketing and insights director, said: “October was a nightmare month for British politics, and the uncertainty clearly had huge implications for consumer confidence which is now at an all-time low.
“Whilst it appears that some political stability has been regained, the Autumn statement on 17th November and the soundings about impending tax rises and spending cuts, combined with rumours about energy black outs over the winter, will undoubtedly suppress consumer confidence and therefore footfall further.”
