Retail footfall continued its recovery in February, but growth in shopper numbers slowed dramatically after the new year bounce, according to new data released this morning.
Total UK footfall increased by 0.2% year on year last month, but it was down from a 6.6% rise in January.
The biggest driver of shopper numbers in February was retail parks, with footfall up 2%, compared with a 7.9% increase in the prior month.
High streets edged 0.1% higher, down from growth of 4.5% in January, while shopping centres also registered a 0.1% rise, compared with 7.4% in the month before.
Helen Dickinson of the British Retail Consortium, which compiles the monthly data alongside Sensormatic, said that strong investment in retail parks and fewer empty stores had led to consistent positive shopper traffic over the past year.
“Retailers are always looking for ways to invest in shopping destinations and the communities they serve,” she added. “Unfortunately, the £7bn worth of costs facing the industry from the budget will hinder retailers’ ability to do this.
“At a time when many high streets are in desperate need of revitilisation, the government must do more to support the retail industry’s ability to invest. Ensuring no shop pays more as a result of business rates reform and delaying the new packaging levy would allow for more investment in stores and jobs, giving footfall a better chance of recovery in 2025.”
Andy Sumpter, a retail consultant for Sensormatic, said after January’s jump-start, many in the industry would have been hoping for continued momentum to build on the strong start to the year.
“With Easter falling late and well into April this year, this will, undoubtedly, put added pressure on retailers as we head into March,” he added.
“To plug the gap, retailers have an opportunity to create compelling reasons to visit and enhance their offerings with greater convenience and choice, which have been the standout strengths of retail park performance.”
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