Retail footfall up 41.7% by 12pm yesterday
New figures from Springboard have shown that footfall across retail locations in England had increased by 41.7% by 12pm yesterday compared to last week.
The reopening of shops following the Covid-19 lockdown led to a 51.7% uplift in footfall in high streets and a 37% rise in shopping centres.
Springboard said high streets benefited from the day’s sunny weather which meant that shoppers were happy to join long queues outside stores such as Primark and Nike.
The increase in retail parks was less marked at 25.1% as shoppers switched from visiting locations with primarily homeware and food stores to those with high street shops such as M&S and Next. Footfall in retail parks where high street retailers have a presence climbed by 39.1%.
Research from Springboard has found that people have missed restaurants and cafes, fashion shops and entertainment venues most during lockdown so it is expecting consumers to visit retail destinations in increasing numbers once restaurants and cinemas are allowed to reopen.
Diane Wehrle, insights director at Springboard, said: “Some of the uplift in footfall is a consequence of a drop in footfall last Monday from the Monday before, but nevertheless the rise is significant; and we must remember that these results are only for the period up to 12pm. Footfall is likely to increase further by early afternoon as people come out later in the day and during their lunch hours.”
