Disappointing March footfall leads to NI retailers hoping for Easter boost
Retailers are hoping for an Easter sales boost following a bumpy few months, which saw a decrease in footfall across the region.
Footfall in Northern Ireland decreased by 9.0% in March (year-on-year), down from -0.1% in February, while footfall in Belfast decreased in March by 10.4% (year-on-year), down from 0.1% in February.
Meanwhile, footfall across Northern Ireland shopping centres also decreased, by 9.6% in March (year-on-year), down from 1.1% in February.
The latest figures from NIRC-Sensormatic data shows that March was disappointing as both consumer and business confidence remains low.
It added the caveat that with Easter in April this year and March last year, the calendar change distorts the year-on-year footfall comparisons, resulting in an artificially higher April, but lower March footfall.
“Footfall figures have been volatile in recent months, we think this reflects low consumer confidence due to economic uncertainty,” said Director of the Northern Ireland Retail Consortium, Neil Johnston.
“Shopkeepers in Northern Ireland will be hoping that the continuing good weather and the Easter period will bring out the shoppers over the next few weeks.”
Mr Johnston added that the earlier Easter last year has undoubtedly played a part in the decrease in footfall figures this year.
‘Retailers will now be hoping that strong Easter trading can help balance out a slow start to Spring’
“We hope that the figures will improve in April. That doesn’t explain however, why the Northern Ireland figures were amongst the worst in the UK,” added Mr Johnston.
“This does, however, once again highlight the challenging circumstances that the retail industry is facing. Footfall is disappointing and yet retailers, and indeed all businesses, are facing higher costs from rises in wage costs, business rates, and National Insurance policies from the start of April.
“The NIRC would reiterate our call for the NI Executive to outline a plan to decrease business rates for the retail, hospitality and leisure sector.”
“After a bumpy few months, March made for disappointing footfall as shopper and business confidence remains subdued, not helped by ongoing economic uncertainty and pre-Spring Statement jitters,” added Andy Sumpter, Retail Consultant EMA for Sensormatic Solutions.
“With Easter this year landing in April, some of the downturn in store visits in March could have been from consumers withholding Easter spend. Retailers will now be hoping that strong Easter trading can help balance out a slow start to Spring.
“It’s worth noting, however, that there were some brighter moments for shopper counts in March – although, sadly not enough of them to have had a material impact on the overall figures. Mother’s Day in particular delivered a standout performance, driving a +13.4% uplift in High Street footfall compared to last year.”
