High street footfall worst since 2010

Figures tracking the number of shoppers in UK stores have shown their sharpest decline since 2010.

According to analysts Springboard, footfall figures released on Monday show numbers were down in December by 2.2 per cent compared to 2014.

High streets saw the biggest decline, falling by four per cent, followed by shopping centres, which dropped by two per cent.

Retail Parks, conversely, saw footfall increase by 2.1 per cent, confirming concerns by high street traders that out-of-town retail developments were hurting traditional town centre stores.

The decline in high street footfall in December was the sharpest throughout the year, and the worst since 2010 when footfall fell by 11.2 per cent.

Springboard said the data suggested Christmas was an online event, with consumers choosing to “click” from the comfort of their own homes rather than venture out in public.

“The milder weather held back demand for winter clothing while above average rainfall, almost double average levels for this time of year, dissuaded people to leave their homes,” a spokesperson for the firm said.

Meanwhile, data from the British Retail Consortium suggested non-food online spending rose by 15.1 per cent in December, while store sales declined.

Black Friday and Cyber Monday promotions spilled over into the rest of the month which propelled consumers to hunt for bargains online rather than battle with the crowds in-store.

“We remain upbeat about the strength of retail parks and the retailers with a high exposure out-of-town as consumers embrace the greater mix of leisure and retail,” Springboard said. “The demand for convenience, ‘retailtainment’ and the ‘omnichannel experience’ has never been greater.”