Latest data from retail experts Springboard reveals that footfall across UK retail destinations rose by +6.7% last week from the week before, with rises of +9% in UK high streets, +4.5% in retail parks and +4.3% in shopping centres. Footfall increased every day, averaging +4% over the working week but +22.6% on Sunday and +11.2% on Saturday.
Diane Wehrle, insights director at Springboard commented: “Despite rain covering much of the UK last week, footfall in retail destinations rose from the week before; the third consecutive week in which footfall has increased and by far greater an uplift than in the previous seven day period. Increases occurred across all three destination types, but were particularly noticeable in high streets where they reached double digits in all but three geographies.
“Whilst large city centres have taken the biggest hit, footfall still rose in marginally regional cities and by double digits in Central London. With shopper activity increasing for the past three weeks despite all but essential stores remaining closed, the results are delivering ever more compelling evidence of escalating lockdown fatigue. The UK’s accelerated vaccination drive could well be driving additional consumer confidence, however, we must remember that it is still only the elderly and vulnerable who have had their vaccinations, and they are typically the least likely to be making trips.”
