New research has shown that retail footfall continued to improve in September with the gap from the same month in 2019 narrowing to 17.4 per cent from 18.6 per cent in August.
Footfall was down 20.3 per cent in high streets compared to two years ago, while the number of visits to shopping centres and retail parks was down 23.6 per cent and 4.6 per cent respectively, according to Springboard.
“Although this is the most marginal improvement of any month in 2021, this result is more positive than it first appears,” Springboard marketing and insights director, Diane Wehrle said.
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“This month’s results go against the long-term footfall trend for September, which traditionally is a month in which footfall levels off or declines from the year before as schools go back and spending for the festive period is yet to start.
“The combination of employees returning to office working for at least part of the week, together with the beginnings of the return of overseas tourists, will add further support to footfall in retail stores and destinations as we near the Christmas trading period.”
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