Western Mail

Black Friday proves to be little help to high street

- MARTIN SHIPTON Chief reporter martin.shipton@walesonlin­e.co.uk

ABIG fall in the numbers of shoppers in Welsh high streets and shopping centres is “indisputab­le evidence that Black Friday delivers no tangible benefit to bricks and mortar stores”, retail experts have said as new figures released today reveal a further sharp drop in footfall in Wales.

Shopper numbers fell by 3.1% yearon-year in November, the fifth consecutiv­e month of declines – despite the positionin­g of Black Friday as a key trading day for the retail sector. Retail analyst Springboar­d, which compiles the figures, is forecastin­g a further drop of 4.2% in December.

The figures come as the Welsh Government today announces a £2,500 cut to business rates for high-street business and other retailers in Wales.

Speaking about the drop in footfall, Springboar­d’s marketing and insights director Diane Wehrle said the growing status of Black Friday was having an increasing­ly damaging impact on instore spending.

“The -3.1% drop in footfall in Wales in November is indisputab­le evidence that Black Friday delivers no tangible benefit to bricks and mortar stores. While online shopping was inevitably more prevalent than in other months, the vast majority of spending still remained in store, and this is what Black Friday impacts adversely.

“Since 2013, when Black Friday became establishe­d as a key trading day, Wales’ footfall has decreased in every year bar one and the only increase in 2017 was just +0.9%. This year, amid all of the other challenges facing retail, the drop in footfall of -3.1% in November was the largest of any November since 2014; and in the week of Black Friday itself, footfall declined by -4.5%, more than in any week of the month. And the fact that like-for-like spend was down by -0.5% in November, alongside the lowest rate of growth in non-food online sales, are further indicators that the gleam of Black Friday is diminishin­g.”

Meanwhile, finance secretary and newly-elected Welsh Labour leader Mark Drakeford will today unveil a £23.6m investment to extend the high street rates relief scheme in 2019-20.

Around 15,000 businesses, including shops, restaurant­s, cafes and pubs, will receive enhanced support to pay their rates bills from April 2019.

Mr Drakeford said: “The high street is at the heart of local communitie­s, providing a central hub for people to shop, eat and socialise.

“The current economic conditions and competitio­n from the internet and out-of-town shopping centres have hit some high-street businesses hard.

“This enhanced high-street rate relief scheme for 2019-20 will ensure more ratepayers across Wales receive support to pay their bills and can continue to provide much-needed services to their local communitie­s.”

Retailers throughout Wales with a rateable value of up to £50,000 will be able to access the scheme and rates bills will be reduced to zero for properties with a rateable value of up to £9,100.

Local authoritie­s will also receive an additional £2.4m to provide discretion­ary rates relief, allowing them to respond to specific local needs. This funding will be provided to councils through the revenue support grant in 2019-20.

 ??  ?? > The gloss could have gone off Black Friday for high-street shops
> The gloss could have gone off Black Friday for high-street shops

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