Despite ongoing government restrictions, UK shoppers are demonstrating a strong eagerness to return to physical stores, as evidenced by the latest footfall figures released by Springboard. The data for the week leading up to February 20th showed a notable 6.8% increase in footfall compared to the previous week, suggesting a positive trend in consumer behavior.
Of particular interest was the substantial rise in footfall observed in high streets, which saw a significant increase of 10.5%. In contrast, retail parks experienced a more modest uptick of 1.2%, while shopping centers recorded a 4.5% increase in footfall. Interestingly, shopping centers have been seeing a growing number of visitors, especially on weekends, despite the limited availability of open stores.
Last week saw a consistent growth in footfall across all types of UK retail destinations, with high streets witnessing double-digit increases on multiple days, peaking at an impressive 26.7% on Monday. Notably, Central London stood out among town centers, with a remarkable 23.6% rise in footfall, complemented by a 12.5% increase in Outer London. Consequently, high streets in the Greater London area registered the second-highest average footfall in the country.
While the overall footfall figures remain substantially lower compared to the same period last year, with a 62.1% decline, retail parks have demonstrated more resilience with a decrease of 35.3%. This can be attributed to the consistent flow of visitors to supermarkets for essential purchases. On the other hand, Central London continues to face challenges, with footfall down by a significant 86% year-on-year.
The recent data paints an optimistic picture of consumers gradually returning to physical retail spaces, offering hope for the sector as stores gradually reopen. The continued support of UK shoppers for brick-and-mortar stores in challenging times underscores the enduring appeal of traditional shopping experiences.
To learn more about the latest trends in UK retail, click here.
For official updates on government restrictions and guidelines, visit here.
