Retailers to see increase in Christmas footfall

The UK high street and retailers can expect an 8 percent increase in footfall this Christmas, as shoppers are encouraged to spend more in store with new click and collect options.

According to research by Springboard, retail parks will benefit the most over the Holiday season due to ease of parking and the accessibility of out of town locations.

High streets will see more shoppers than shopping centres

High streets are set to score a higher footfall than shopping centres, the research predicted, as they have a “more diverse offer" including retail, leisure and hospitality. Today’s shoppers seek an experience when doing their Christmas shopping, it found.

An estimated 45 percent of shoppers are expected to choose click and collect over the Christmas period.

The report also warned many shoppers will hold out for heavy discounting closer to Christmas.

Meanwhile, UK shopper numbers fell 0.8 percent year-on-year during October, according to the BRC/Springboard Footfall Monitor, just ahead the 0.9 percent drop recorded in September.

Shopping centres reported the largest decline for the second consecutive month, falling 1.9 percent, while high streets experienced a 1.4 percent dip in footfall, down on the 0.6 percent decline in September. Out-of-town locations fared the best with a 1.9 percent increase year-on-year.

BRC director general Helen Dickinson Helen Dickinson said: "In order to drive up footfall, some local areas need to continue to learn from more successful town centres by encouraging pop-ups, using empty premises as community spaces or even as arts venues to ensure that empty shops don't become a blight on the local area. Consideration needs to be given to how people want to use their high streets now and in the future."