UK retail footfall varies in regions

Retail footfall in the UK increased on an annual basis for the first time since January 2011 last

month, but new research out shows that the percentage of those on the high street relates specifically to different regions.

According to the Experian Retail Footfall Index the number of people visiting retail centres nationwide in June grew 0.2 per cent year-on-year and 2.4 per cent month-on-month.

Whereas shopper numbers were up 1.8 and 1.3 per cent in the south-west & Wales and London respectively, they were down 3.8, 3.4 and 0.4 per cent in England’s north-west, east and north-west.

“This year’s increase is largely due to suppressed numbers from last year, when shoppers were staying away from the high street in favour of watching the World Cup matches, so in reality the growth is merely catching up with levels of Footfall in 2009,” a spokesperson for the company said.
“June normally sees increased footfall compared to May as a result of half-term week, summer sales and Father’s Day - the pattern continues this year.”