Retail slump expected as fewer shoppers hit the high street for post-Christmas sales
UK shoppers have not been fully enticed by the record retail discounts in the days following Christmas, according to research from Springboard.
A footfall study from the firm found that high street shoppers were down three per cent on 2014 between the 28 of December to 1 January. The turn-out contrasts with the 6.2 per cent growth exhibited in 2014 against 2013’s performance.
Boxing day shopping varied across the UK with poor weather contributing to the differentials.
Footfall was up 11.3 per cent in Scotland and 4.5 per cent in the east of England. In contrast, Wales dropped almost seven per cent and the West Midlands 5.8 per cent.
Springboard analyst Diane Wehrle told the Guardian: “Building on strong footfall experienced by high streets this time last year was always going to be a challenge, and these figures show there is a job to be done in 2016 in order for a positive uplift to be realised.”
She argued that click and collect services helped bolster footfall in retail parks in the run-up to Christmas, likely resulting in additional sales.