Shoppers visiting retail stores increases

The number of shoppers visiting retail stores rose 1.8 per

cent in the three months to the start of February, according to figures published today, but regional differences in footfall remains pronounced.

Statistics for November, December & January, calculated by the British Retail Consortium (BRC), automated customer counting company Springboard & the Association of Town Centre Management (ATCM), show footfall bounced back from a 2.3 per cent drop seen during the previous three months but national town centre vacancy rates remained unchanged at 11.1 per cent.

Commenting on the figures, Stephen Robertson, Director General of the BRC, said: “The lift in shopper numbers for the quarter is almost entirely down to a strong Christmas. And December looks deceptively good because it’s being compared with the heavy snowfall which affected the end of 2010 and kept many people at home then.