Footfall differs in UK regions

A trading update looking at the footfall of different regions across the UK has revealed that unlike most areas, London’s West End saw an increase in sales during July. Retail trackers, Springboard, who compiled the search, found Bond Street,

Oxford Street and Regent Street in the centre of the capital witnessed overall trading increase 6.8 per cent year-on-year last month, which is considerably more impressive than the tiny 0.6 per cent growth reported by the British Retail Consortium for the country as a whole over the same period.

Whilst the rest of the UK saw a footfall slump of 1.2% compared to the previous year.

Jace Tyrrell, New West End Company, said: “London’s West End is in a unique position - as a key destination for international visitors, retailers are able to maximise the commercial opportunity presented by high-spending international shoppers.

“As the peak period for Middle Eastern holidaymakers hit the West End, July figures were buoyed by these high-spending luxury shoppers.” International trade provided a significant boost to luxury trade including big shopping centres such as Westfield London, but could be a cause of poorer performance in outer UK regions. This footfall disparacy is addressed in a recent report from the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, which warns that the employment balance over the last three months has risen by ten per cent in the southern half of the country but fell by six per cent in the north.