// Footfall across all UK shopping destinations was up 87.8% week-on-week
// Reopening day on April 12 delivered the greatest increase in footfall of any day last week with a 151.8% rise
// The East Midlands, South East and South West saw the greatest rise
New research has shown that shoppers flocked back to the high street last week as non-essential stores reopened in England and Wales.
Footfall across all UK shopping destinations was up 87.8 per cent week-on-week, Springboard found.
Footfall across high streets, retail parks and shopping centres was up 330 per cent from April 11-17 versus the same week a year ago.
READ MORE: High street footfall rises 174% as England & Wales exit lockdown
In high streets, the rise was 93.2 per cent and in shopping centres even higher at 126.6 per cent.
In retail parks, despite the ongoing higher level of activity due to the presence of essential stores, footfall still rose by 35.3 per cent as others stores started to trade.
Opening day on April 12 delivered the greatest increase in footfall of any day last week with a 151.8 per cent rise, but the rise on each day was no lower than 69.7 per cent on Tuesday rising to 116.9 per cent on Saturday.
The East Midlands, South East and South West saw the greatest rise, but the overall demand remained 25 per cent below 2019 levels.
“These results provide concrete evidence of the desire of shoppers to return to bricks and mortar stores and destinations,” Springboard insights director Diane Wehrle said.
“The key issue for retail destinations will be whether this momentum can be sustained.
“The reopening of indoor hospitality on May 17 will provide a further boost to retail destinations as many indoor venues are located in High Streets and shopping centres.”
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