Retail footfall received a welcome boost last month as shoppers hit the stores in search of a bargain.
The British Retail Consortium reported total UK footfall increased 6.6% in January, up from a 2.2% decline the month before.
Retail parks and shopping centres saw the most activity, with shopper numbers up 7.9% and 7.4% respectively. This is up from flat growth and 3.3% decline in December.
High street footfall rose 4.5% in January, up from a 2.7% decline the month before.
Related Story
British Retail Consortium chief executive Helen Dickinson said: “Improved shopper traffic is welcome news for high streets following a particularly difficult ‘Golden Quarter’ to end 2024, and low consumer sentiment to start the year.”
“Store visits increased substantially in the first week of the month as many consumers hit the January sales in their local community, with shopping centres faring particularly well.
“Despite snowy weather and Storm Eowyn causing disruption in some areas, footfall was still positive across major UK cities over the whole month.”
Click here to sign up to Retail Gazette‘s free daily email newsletter
