The Christmas season has officially begun in Britain, and it has brought an increase in footfall to retail destinations. Springboard’s recent data shows a 4.1% rise in week-on-week footfall across the UK from November 14 to November 21. Central London and regional cities outside of the capital have experienced the highest number of visits.
When looking at specific locations, footfall on high streets increased by 6.2%, while shopping centers saw a 3.3% increase. Retail parks also saw a modest rise of 0.4%, which is a significant improvement compared to the previous week’s 1% drop. It is clear that festive spending is in full swing, as footfall has increased every day except for Sunday. The busiest days were Wednesday and Friday.
Central London has witnessed the biggest rise in footfall, with an impressive 8.3% increase. This is followed by regional cities outside of the capital, which saw an 11.4% increase. Shoppers are flocking to these larger destinations where Christmas celebrations have already begun.
In contrast, the rise in footfall was not as significant in Outer London and market towns, with increases of 2.2% and 3.6% respectively. However, it is worth noting that the gap from 2019 is slowly closing. Currently, the gap stands at -12.4%, compared to -14.8% the previous week. High streets have seen a smaller gap of -11.9%, while shopping centers have remained at -21.1%. Footfall still remains more than double the level from last year, with high streets experiencing a 107.6% increase and shopping centers seeing a 137.9% increase.
Overall, the start of the Christmas trading period has brought about an increase in footfall throughout the UK. Central London and regional cities outside of the capital have seen the highest rise in visits, as shoppers seek out larger destinations already immersed in Christmas festivities. It will be intriguing to observe how footfall continues to evolve throughout the holiday season as consumers increase their shopping activities.
As Christmas approaches, here are two links offering tips and ideas for holiday shopping in the UK:
1. Visit London: Christmas Events and Shopping
2. Time Out London: Christmas Shopping Guide
