According to data company MRI Springboard, footfall in UK retail is expected to experience a significant increase during the upcoming Easter weekend. The three-day holiday period from April 7th to 9th is predicted to see a 5.1% rise in footfall compared to the previous week. Additionally, footfall is expected to increase by 0.1% compared to Easter 2019, indicating a return to pre-pandemic levels.
The largest week-on-week rise in footfall is expected on Good Friday, with a projected increase of 10.3% across all retail destinations in the UK. High streets alone are expected to see a staggering 15% rise. This positive forecast comes after a 0.1% decline in footfall during Easter 2022.
MRI Springboard predicts that UK high streets will experience the highest increase in footfall during the Easter weekend as a whole, with a projected rise of 6.6%. Many towns are planning Easter events to attract shoppers, contributing to the anticipated increase. Retail parks in the UK are also expected to see a substantial rise in footfall, with a projected increase of 5.1%. Shoppers are likely to use the long weekend to focus on home and garden improvements. On the other hand, shopping centers are expected to experience a more modest rise in footfall, with a forecasted increase of 2.5% compared to the previous week.
The forecast by MRI Springboard is based on observations of consumers waiting for Easter, as footfall has remained stagnant over the past three weeks with a slight week-on-week drop of 0.1%. Last week, footfall across all retail destinations in the UK dropped by 2.6% compared to the previous week, with a significant decline of 9.1% on high streets, falling below the 2022 level.
Diane Wehrle, Insights Director at MRI Springboard, provided insight on the forecast, explaining that Easter 2023 is expected to follow long-term trends in footfall observed by MRI Springboard over the past 16 years during the bank holiday weekend. These trends typically show an increase in footfall from the previous week on Good Friday and Easter Saturday, followed by a drop on Easter Monday when many office-based employees are on leave.
Overall, UK retail is expected to see a significant boost in footfall during the Easter holiday weekend as consumers eagerly await the holiday. This increase in footfall is anticipated to revitalize the industry following a decline in footfall during Easter 2022. Retailers can expect the highest rises in footfall on Good Friday, particularly on high streets and in areas hosting Easter events. Additionally, retail parks are projected to experience a surge in footfall as shoppers take advantage of the long weekend. While shopping centers are expected to see a smaller increase, they are still likely to benefit from the Easter shopping spree.
Useful links:
– Retail Gazette – Data
– Retail Week – Data
