Worries over Brexit weigh on shoppers

WELSH shoppers are growing wary of spending as concerns over the effects of triggering Article 50 begin to affect consumer confidence, according to industry research.

While footfall figures in Wales grew the fastest of anywhere in the UK in February, there are signs of increasing uncertainty from Brexit – with shoppers keeping away from bigger buys.

Footfall in Wales grew by 1.7% in February on last year, the fastest growth of all the nations or regions – according to the Welsh Retail Consortium and Springboards Footfall & Vacancies Monitor.

That is above the three-month average of 0.2% and the 12-month average of 0.3%.

Wales was the only part of the UK in February to see footfall increase in the last year.

While footfall in leisure and restaurants improved from January and was the highest in the UK, Welsh shoppers shunned the retail parks that are home to some of the pricier purchases.

Retail parks experienced a -1.6% drop in their footfall, the biggest since 2013, as spending on furniture and household items fell.

Sara Jones, head of policy and external affairs at the Welsh Retail Consortium, said businesses faced a difficult time.

She said: “With the highest increase in footfall across all nations and regions of the UK last month, one might suggest we are seeing a revitalisation of the Welsh high street.

“The figures from February will be a welcome sign of a rise in consumer confidence across Wales, supported by retailers’ pricing and promotional efforts.

“The challenge for our town centres and shopping destinations will be turning this into a more sustained uptick in the months ahead, particularly as the popularity of online shopping and click and collect services continues to soar.”