Christmas footfall highest since pandemic began: BRC

Footfall over the festive period reached its highest level since the start of the pandemic in December, shows latest figures, as rail disruption and the cold snap kept many shoppers home but postal strikes forced others to do some last-minute shopping.

According to BRC-Sensormatic IQ data, total UK footfall for 2022 was 11.8 per cent below pre-pandemic levels. This was a big improvement on 2021 footfall which was 33.2 per cent below pre-pandemic levels.

Total UK footfall decreased by 7.3 per cent in December (Yo3Y), 6.0 percentage points better than November. This is better than the 3-month average decline of 10.2 per cent.

High Streets footfall declined by 9.3 per cent in December (Yo3Y), 4.3 percentage points better than last month’s rate and better than the 3-month average decline of 11.0 per cent.

Retail Parkssaw footfall decrease by 5.2 per cent (Yo3Y), 1.0 percentage points worse than last month’s rate and worse than the 3-month average decline of 4.5 per cent.

Shopping Centre footfall declined by 19.9 per cent (Yo3Y), 3.3 percentage points better than last month’s rate and an improvement on the 3-month average decline of 20.9 per cent.

Northern Ireland saw the shallowest footfall decline of all nations and regions at -3.0 per cent, followed by England at -8.7 per cent and Wales at -9.6 per cent. Scotland saw the steepest decline at -9.9 per cent.

On a YoY basis, total footfall increased by 15.1 per cent; high Streets by 19.7 per cent and shopping Centres by 13.4 per cent. Retail Parks down by 1.6 per cent.

Commenting on the figures, Helen Dickinson OBE, Chief Executive of the British Retail Consortium, explained how a combination of rail disruption and the cold snap kept many shoppers from visiting town centres and high streets in the last week before Christmas while the postal strikes forced others to head in for the last week to secure last minute gifts in-store.

“Historically low consumer confidence and 30-year-high inflation made for an exceptionally difficult year for consumers and retailers, with footfall down over 10% on pre-pandemic levels.

“Nonetheless, this was still a significant improvement on the previous two years when the pandemic kept many people at home. Although retailers’ input costs show little sign of easing in 2023, they continue to do all they can to keep prices affordable and tempt customers in,” Dickinson said.

Andy Sumpter, Retail Consultant EMEA for Sensormatic Solutions, commented that physical retail rallied in December, with store performance last month posting its best footfall counts compared to pre-pandemic figures all year.

“Retailers rose above an onslaught of festive disruption, from snow chaos to rail and mail strikes impacting consumers’ shopping journeys both on- and off-line, disrupting pre-Christmas travel to shopping hubs and creating online delivery backlogs and delays.  And, once again, it was the in-store teams that kept retailers’ doors open and able to continue to serve their customers and communities.

“Looking ahead to 2023, retailers will be hoping for more stability and support to help them chart a trading course for success in the light of continued economic headwinds, as they adapt their retail offers to the needs of the cost-of-living consumer,” Sumpter said.