March witnessed a modest rise in retail footfall across the UK, with an increase of +1.7% compared to February, signalling the lowest month-on-month rise for this period in the last decade, according to MRI Software.
The company says this suggests that footfall trends are starting to stabilise in all retail destinations. Retail parks led the charge witnessing an overall rise of +4.3% month-on-month compared with marginal rises in high streets (+1.2%) and shopping centres (+0.2%).
Much of the uplift was driven by activity in retail parks largely boosted by the final week of the month; the week leading up to Easter which also coincided with payday for many people and the start of the Easter school holidays. However, turbulent weather conditions throughout the month, alongside shifts in key holiday dates including Mother’s Day and Easter led to footfall remaining steady. A mid-month slump saw footfall decline by -8.3% from the week before when it had risen by +6.6% almost wiping out any gains made hinting consumer caution ahead of the great Easter shop.
The final two weeks of the month saw a healthy boost in activity delivered to all UK retail destinations particularly in retail parks and shopping centres where footfall rose week-on-week by +10.3% in the week leading up to Easter compared with a much more modest rise of +1.9% in high streets. MRI says this is encouraging despite stormy weather conditions and many people choosing to make the most of the Easter holidays with vacations abroad.
Footfall rose from 2023 levels by +2.7% which is indicative of the shifts in key holidays moving forward. This was mainly driven by high street activity where footfall in towns and cities rose by +3.4% compared with more modest rises in retail parks (+3%) and shopping centres (+0.9%). Weekday footfall also remained +3.2% higher when compared against last year suggesting not only a strong return to the office, but also a renewed mindset in consumer confidence.
Looking ahead to April, a fresh set of rail strikes set to take place from April 5-8, coinciding with the Easter school holidays may dampen footfall, especially in towns and cities. However, the impact is expected to be less severe than on previous strike days due to it being bolstered by footfall on Good Friday when it rose by +12.5% week-on-week in all UK retail destinations. Retail parks and shopping centres are likely to experience a decline in activity, however, much of this will be as a result of the surge in activity leading up to Good Friday in the week prior. MRI says this new wave of strike action will no doubt impact businesses reliant on footfall during the school holidays such as leisure and hospitality particularly in market and historic towns, as well as regional cities including London. However, there may well be optimism for coastal towns, visitor attractions, and retail destinations where families can travel by car.
