According to the latest figures from Ipsos Retail Performance, UK store footfall in March 2022 continued to lag behind pre-pandemic levels from 2019, although there were some indications of improvement. The report specifically focused on non-food retail destinations, with a particular emphasis on the fashion sector, and examined the number of people actually entering stores rather than just being in the vicinity.
The data revealed that footfall in non-food sectors across the UK dropped by 22.9% compared to 2019 for the five weeks leading up to March 27. Towns outperformed cities, showing an 8.3% points margin, indicating that city centers continue to struggle. The top-performing region was Northern England, where store visits were down by “only” 18.6%.
Despite the overall decline, there were some positive trends to note. The UK as a whole experienced a month-on-month footfall increase of 9.9%, with cities rising by 4% and towns by 11%. Although high streets remained over 23% down compared to 2019, they saw a month-on-month increase of 15.7% compared to February. Retail parks experienced a 15% decrease compared to 2019 but saw a 5% increase from February. Shopping centers suffered a nearly 24% decline compared to pre-pandemic levels but saw an 11% increase month on month.
Oliver Hillier, senior retail analyst at Ipsos Retail Performance, commented that the unusually warm weather had a positive impact on footfall across the UK, contributing to the month-on-month increase. However, he expressed concerns about the Chancellor’s Spring Statement, stating that it did not go far enough to protect consumers against the rising cost of living. Hillier predicted that many households might choose to cut back on non-essential items in order to cope with increasing utility costs and the recent rise in council tax, which could potentially impact footfall levels throughout the spring.
Overall, the data highlights that UK store footfall still has a long way to go before reaching pre-pandemic levels. While there are signs of improvement, challenges persist, particularly in city centers. Retailers will need to navigate these obstacles and adjust their strategies to entice and retain customers in this ever-evolving retail landscape.
Useful links:
1. Retail Gazette: UK High Streets See Increase in March Footfall But Remain 23% Down on 2019
2. Retail Week: Why Urban Apparel Stores Are Struggling to Shift Their Wares
