Rail strikes dampen retail footfall recovery

Retail footfall has decreased by 3.9 per cent in the last week, when compared with the average of the previous four weeks, over the rail strikes.

According to the BRC-Sensormatic IQ data, Thursday was the worst performing day, with a 13.7 per cent decline in footfall, followed by Tuesday at 9.4 per cent. The strike called by the RMT Union also took place on Saturday.

“Retail footfall recovery slowed last week as rail strikes disrupted journeys across the UK. As expected, commuter traffic was hit with many working from home to avoid unnecessary travel, impacting already-vulnerable city centre businesses reliant on those commuters,” commented Helen Dickinson, chief executive of British Retail Consortium (BRC).

High streets saw the weakest performance at a 3.3 per cent decline, and the capital saw footfall decrease by 1.4 per cent over the strike week. London footfall on Tuesday decreased by 7.4 per cent, impacted by both rail and Tube strikes.

“After the buoyant boost to shopper numbers we saw over the Jubilee weekend, last week’s train strikes threaten to derail retail’s footfall recovery,” Andy Sumpter, retail consultant EMEA for Sensormatic Solutions, said.

“While consumers stayed home and avoided unnecessary trips due to travel disruption, retailers will be hoping that the dip in footfall will be short-lived and that shopper numbers even themselves out, as pent-up demand prompts consumers back on to the high street once the strike ends.”