Sharp decline in shopping footfall during virus crisis

Shops have experienced their sharpest ever decline after closing their doors in the face of the coronavirus pandemic, according to new figures.

Footfall dived by 44.7% in March due to the Government-mandated lockdown, according to the latest BRCShopperTrak footfall monitor. It revealed that footfall declined by 17.7% in the three weeks before the lockdown was enforced on March 23, and – in the two weeks after lockdown – sank by an average of 83.2%.

High streets saw footfall decline 41.8% in March compared with the previous year, as increased use of convenience stores provided a rare positive.

Shopping centres were harder hit by the lockdown, reporting a 43.6% dive in footfall for the month.

Meanwhile, retail parks saw footfall decrease by 23.5% in March, as they benefitted from having a higher proportion of supermarket stores and their wide-open spaces made social distancing easier.

Helen Dickinson, chief executive of the British Retail Consortium (BRC), said: "Footfall dropped in early March, as many people chose to stay at home and this downwards trajectory was accelerated by the Government's decision to put the UK on lockdown.

"Retail is facing an unprecedented challenge, particularly those geared towards high street sales."

Andy Sumpter, retail consultant of ShopperTrak, said: "The way in which we shop has dramatically changed, with consumers shopping by themselves and retailers limiting shopper numbers in store.

"I applaud those retailers and store teams who are continuing to serve us."