UK retail enjoyed a 1.1 per cent year-on-year uptick in footfall in the last week of December, with high streets outperforming other retail destinations.
According to the latest Springboard data, footfall across UK high streets increased 2.8 per cent year-on-year in the week commencing December 23.
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This compares to a 1.1 per cent year-on-year increase in shopping centres and a 1.2 per cent year-on-year drop in retail parks.
However, Springboard highlighted that the figures were enhanced by an additional trading day in the last week of December when compared with last year.
“The week benefited from an additional trading day before Christmas, as Christmas Day fell on Tuesday this year compared with Monday in 2017,” insights director Diane Werhle said.
“Moreover the week included 23 December (the peak trading day before Christmas) while last year the week commenced on 24 December, when footfall is lower.
“The difference made by the shift in the calendar is illustrated clearly by the fact that last year footfall declined in this week by four per cent.
“The significance of the date shift on the week’s results indicates that this is one week in the year when additional insight can be gained by comparing footfall based on dates.
“On this basis, footfall over the seven-day period between 23 and 29 December this year declined by 2.6 per cent from 23 to 29 December 2017.”
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