According to the latest data from Ipsos, retail footfall in the UK is still significantly lower than pre-pandemic levels. In the week leading up to July 10, footfall in the non-food sector dropped by a considerable 19.9% compared to the same period in 2019. This decline reinforces the belief held by some that it will be a daunting task to fully recover to pre-Covid levels. One of the contributing factors to this challenge is the fact that many UK consumers continue to work from home for at least part of the week. As a result, retail destinations are increasingly reliant on foreign visitors and dedicated shoppers within the UK, rather than office workers who used to frequent shops during their lunch breaks or after work.
In addition to the nearly 20% drop compared to 2019, footfall also saw a decrease of 5.9% from the previous week. These figures mirror the declines seen in British cities. However, towns fared slightly better, experiencing a drop of 16.8% compared to 2019 and 5.8% compared to the previous week. Retail parks showed the strongest performance compared to the three-year average, with a drop of 17.3%. However, they did witness a larger decline of 7.2% on a one-week basis. On the other hand, high streets saw a 20.4% decline compared to 2019, but only a 4.4% decrease from the previous week. Shopping centers had the worst of both worlds, with a 21.7% drop compared to three years ago and a 6.3% decline from the previous week.
These figures vividly illustrate the ongoing challenges faced by the UK retail sector. The decline in footfall can be attributed to various factors, including the shift to remote work, which has diminished opportunities for in-person shopping during office hours. Additionally, persistent concerns about Covid-19 and changing consumer habits have likely contributed to the lower footfall levels. While it remains uncertain whether footfall will ever return to pre-pandemic levels, retailers must adapt to the evolving landscape and find innovative ways to attract shoppers in order to remain resilient amidst ongoing uncertainty.
Useful links:
1. Retail Gazette: UK Retail Footfall Continues to Slide Backwards
2. This is Money: UK Retail Footfall Drops 19.9% from 2019
