Retail parks in the UK have experienced a significant boost in footfall in the week leading up to the reopening of schools in England. While overall footfall across all destinations slightly declined by 0.7% compared to the previous week, retail parks saw a notable increase of 3.2%. This rise can be attributed to parents visiting large supermarkets in preparation for the much-anticipated Back to School day on Monday.
In contrast, footfall on high streets witnessed a decline of 3.3%, whereas shopping centres experienced a slight increase of 0.9%. The pattern of footfall activity varied throughout the week, with a significant surge in visits across all destinations from Sunday to Tuesday, averaging at 9.6%. However, there were noticeable declines in footfall on the following four days, averaging at -6.2%. High streets faced even more severe declines from Wednesday onwards, with an average decline of -9.8%, and reaching as low as -12.8% on Friday.
Despite the overall decline in footfall on high streets, regional cities outside of London saw a rise of 2.3%, while footfall dropped significantly in Central London by 10.9% and in Outer London by 8.7%. The most substantial declines in high street footfall occurred in the East, Midlands, and North of England, which experienced poorer weather conditions compared to other parts of the UK.
Diane Wehrle, Insights Director at Springboard, pointed out that this was the first time in seven weeks that footfall in UK retail destinations had declined from the previous week. She emphasized that the drop was marginal and primarily driven by high streets. Wehrle also highlighted the threefold increase in visits to retail parks compared to shopping centres, suggesting that parents were likely shopping for school clothing and items in large food stores before the return to the classroom.
As the reopening of non-essential stores approaches, it will be intriguing to observe how footfall patterns continue to evolve and how different types of retail destinations fare in the post-lockdown retail landscape.
Useful links:
1. Retail Gazette: Stay updated with the latest news and developments in the retail industry.
2. UK Government – COVID-19 Support for Retail Businesses: Find information on the support available for retail businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic.
