UK footfall down 1.1 percent in February

UK retail footfall fell 1.1 percent year-on-year in February, following a 1.2 percent increase in January, according to the latest figures from the British Retail Consortium and Springboard monthly footfall monitor.

The figures revealed that both the high street and shopping centres saw a decline in February, with footfall dropping by 2.9 percent and 0.6 percent, respectively. While retail parks continued to do well with footfall increase of 2.5 percent, however, this was significantly down from January’s 5.3 percent increase.

The only regions to see an increase in footfall were the South West, up 0.4 percent, and Greater London, up 0.2 percent. While Northern Ireland recording the biggest decline in footfall down by 5.1 percent, its lowest figure for three months. Footfall in Scotland was down 3.1 percent after two consecutive months of positive growth.

British Retail Consortium chief executive, Helen Dickinson, said: “While footfall last month eased down a touch in both year-on-year and three-month totals, these relatively tepid figures do not fully reflect the changing nature of retail as an industry. Retailers are competing with each other harder than ever. The business of retailing is increasingly complex as technology continues to drive changes in the way we shop.”

Springboard marketing and insights director, Diane Wehrle, added: “The drop in footfall again last month is consistent with long-term underlying trends identified by Springboard from tracking activity across destination types, geographies and time periods. Visits are becoming increasingly focused out of town and in the early evening, with footfall after 5pm rising since January 2014 whilst dropping during the daytime period.

“The “5pm to 8pm social” period are becoming important trading hours with spend focused towards hospitality and leisure, and destinations with a buoyant restaurant offer, providing the right environment and price points make out of home dining and socialising easy, attractive and affordable.”

Image: Huddersfield retail park