Retail experts Springboard have predicted that footfall across the UK will rise by up to +47.9% when non-essential retail and outdoor hospitality reopens in England from 12 April.
The reopening will see a +128.5% rise in footfall in comparison to the same week in 2020, however will remain -61.8% below the 2019 level. This announcement comes following the delivery of Government’s highly anticipated roadmap to normality post pandemic on Monday.
High streets and shopping centres are set to see the largest rises in footfall of +59% and +46% respectively, whilst retail parks will see a growth of +26%.
Springboard forecast that there will be a continued uplift into the subsequent week after reopening, with a rise of +10.4%.
Diane Wehrle, insights director at Springboard commented: “As we approach the 12-month mark since the start of the pandemic in the UK, lockdown fatigue is at its height and the increases in footfall over the last five weeks have indicated the pent up demand for a return to normality. We know from when non-essential retail reopened at the end of Lockdowns 1 in June and 2 in December that footfall will rise sharply and we anticipate this will be more prominent than ever before with a rise of up to +47.9%.
“By mid-April, consumers will be looking for sensory and social retail experiences, reconnecting with their favourite brands and purchasing new wardrobes for a summer of social events. We are anticipating a strong initial uplift in April that will continue to rise over the summer months as the economy reopens in the UK.”
