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UK Shopper Visits Miss Mark in March
10 Apr
Summary
- Total UK footfall rose 2.4% year-on-year in March.
- High street visits increased by 2%, shopping centres by 2.6%.
- Warmer weather may sustain footfall, but April's comparables loom.
Total shopper footfall across the UK saw a year-on-year increase of 2.4% in March, according to recent figures. This rise was partly influenced by the timing of Easter, which fell in April last year. High street visits saw a 2% increase compared to the previous year, improving from a February decline.
Shopping centres experienced a more significant gain, with visits up by 2.6%. Footfall also increased across all UK nations, with Northern Ireland showing the largest rise at 4.9%. Despite these gains, the overall boost fell short of retail expectations.
Industry leaders noted that warmer weather might support footfall in the coming months. However, concerns remain about April's performance, especially against stronger comparable figures from last year. Geopolitical events and ongoing cost of living pressures are also impacting consumer confidence and discretionary spending.
Retailers are calling for government support to ease domestic policy cost pressures. Reducing these costs could allow for greater investment in retail value and in-store experiences, ultimately benefiting local economies and shopper numbers.
