Increase in footfall as shoppers gradually return to high street
SHOPPER FOOTFALL across the UK continued its gradual improvement in March as many consumers enjoyed their first full month free of Covid restrictions.
While all UK shopping locations enjoyed higher footfall levels than earlier in the pandemic, shopping centres saw a significant improvement for the first time in 2022 as shoppers browsed multiple stores in preparation for the summer season, British Retail Consortium (BRC)Sensormatic IQ figures show.
Total UK footfall was still down 15.4 per cent in March on three years previously, but a 1.2 point improvement from February and better than the three-month average decline of 15.9 per cent.
Footfall was down 17.8 per cent on March three years ago but 3.1 percentage points better than last month’s rate. Shopping centre footfall was 4.3 percentage points up on last month’s rate. BRC chief executive, Helen Dickinson, said: “March saw another gradual improvement to footfall levels across the UK. As the first full month without coronavirus restrictions in England and Northern Ireland, consumers were able to shop with a greater sense of normality, spurred on by some spring sunshine.
“There are many challenges on the horizon as consumer confidence fell to its lowest levels in 16 months. Consumers are now feeling the effects of rising living costs, increased food and fuel prices, and are also anticipating higher energy prices from 1 April.
“The impact on retail footfall and retail sales across both stores and online is yet to be seen, but as belts continue to tighten and prices continue to rise, it will be a difficult road ahead for consumers.”