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Shrewsbury Retail Sees Post-Covid Christmas Boom
22 Jan
Summary
- Shrewsbury BID reported a 15.2% rise in town centre footfall in December.
- Spending per customer on debit cards decreased by 3.3% year-on-year.
- Footfall increase in Shrewsbury surpassed the national average of 2%.
Shrewsbury's retail sector celebrated its most successful Christmas period since the Covid-19 pandemic, marked by a significant increase in visitor numbers.
According to Shrewsbury BID, the town centre saw a 15.2% rise in footfall in December compared to the previous year. This surge in visitors, counted at 262,937, well outpaced the national average increase of 2%.
Despite the higher number of people in the town, a notable trend emerged: spending via debit cards per customer fell by 3.3%. This suggests a shift towards more budget-conscious shopping among consumers, with businesses facing pressure on profit margins due to rising operational costs.
Traders reported that visitors were enjoying the festive atmosphere and seeking unique gifts, with many making a weekend of their visit to Shrewsbury. The BID emphasized the importance of supporting local businesses, noting that the reported debit card spending of £14.9m did not represent the full economic picture, as it excluded credit card and cash transactions.
