Retail footfall plunged 20% in January compared to December, which despite the big decline falls in line with previous years’ post-Christmas performance.
Across January 2009 to 2020, an average 22.6% month on month footfall drop has been measured, according to data from MRI Software.
Year on year, footfall dipped 0.8%, mainly driven by a 1.4% drop on high streets.
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MRI Software marketing and insights director Jenni Matthews said: “January was bookended with severe weather and travel disruptions; however, this failed to dampen activity within UK’s high streets with only a marginal drop in footfall witnessed during the first week and a rise of 4.4% in the final week of the month when Storms Isha and Jocelyn caused chaos across parts of the UK.
Matthews pointed out that retail locations reliant on visitors arriving by train faced a tough first half of February, due to “an unprecedented number of planned rail strikes”.
She added: “However, optimism prevails with half term approaching as this historically tends to deliver a much-needed surge in footfall following the festive period.
“Furthermore, with Easter break – the second biggest trading period for retail outside of Christmas – in close proximity this year, it could serve as a benevolent boost for retail in the first quarter of 2024.”
The data firm revealed last month that retail footfall rose 3.3% during 2023 despite the cost-of-living crisis, rail strikes and adverse weather.
However, this was still 11.5% down on 2019 pre-pandemic levels, although a dramatic improvement on last year’s 14.2% gap.
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