Consumer Footfall Update 11 -17 July: Retailers see 2.4% weekly increase in high street footfall
The last week has seen a 2.4% increase in retail footfall across the UK, according to the Experian Retail Footfall Index.
A rise of 2.4% was recorded for Week 28 (11 - 17 July) in comparison with the previous week, while footfall dropped by -2.6% in comparison with the same period last year.
Retail Park footfall meanwhile grew by 0.7% over the same period, and by 0.8% in comparison with last year.
According to the UK National Retail FootFall Index commentary, Week 28 signifies a customary uplift due to school holidays starting for some regions with consumers shopping for summer vacations.
The yearly percentage drop of -2.6% has been described as disappointing, with Sunday the only day to saw increased footfall (up 3.1% compared to last year).
The commentary goes on to explain that the Retail Park Index “continues to perform positively”, and that footfall typically increases over the next couple of weeks “before a period of decline during the peak summer holiday”.
This is characteristically followed by a late summer holiday increase when ‘back to school’ campaigns are in full swing.
The Index commentary warns however: “As the summer sales started earlier this year, retailers may need to focus on further innovative promotional activity to continue to entice shoppers into their stores.”