According to the latest NIRC-Sensormatic IQ data,  Northern Ireland footfall decreased by 14.5% in March, year on three years (Yo3Y), 3.4 percentage points better than February. This was better than the UK average decline of 15.4% (Yo3Y).

Shopping centre footfall declined by 19.7% in March (Yo3Y) in Northern Ireland, an improvement on the decline of 23.6% in February, and in March, footfall in Belfast decreased by 18.9% (Yo3Y), 5.2 percentage points better than February.

David Lonsdale, Head of Devolved Nations at the British Retail Consortium and Northern Ireland Retail Consortium spokesman, said: “There was a modest uptick in shopper footfall in Northern Ireland last month as people gradually returned to retail destinations.

“However, the fact is footfall continues to languish well down on pre-pandemic levels. Visits to shopping centres and Belfast city centre improved a touch, however the overall results for Northern Ireland were disappointing despite March being the first full trading month since the loosening of stultifying Covid related restrictions in stores.  

“Shops themselves are continuing to provide a welcoming and safe shopping experience with a wide range of products, admittedly against a backdrop of economic uncertainty and concerns over the cost of living. Northern Ireland’s shops and the thousands of jobs they provide will only survive with the patronage of the public, and questions remain over what demand will look like in the months ahead.

“As such, these figures should lead to an early response from policy makers as to the health of our retail destinations. There is a pressing need to bring energy and vision to the revival of our retail and high street destinations, as well as a longer-term plan to permanently lower the business rate and adopt a more coherent strategy for the retail industry as Scotland has published.” 

Andy Sumpter, Retail Consultant EMEA for Sensormatic Solutions, said: “As we surpass two years since the first Covid-19 lockdown, we might begin to see where retail footfall trends will settle down as retail resets.  With the High Street’s recovery hitting its best performance since October and UK shopper traffic tracking ahead of its European counterparts, retailers’ optimism will be met with a healthy dose of realism.   

“While Covid-19 restrictions may be loosening, the nation’s belts may start to tighten as the impact of the cost-of-living squeeze and price inflation accelerates, and the knock-on effect of the energy cap rise and increased National Insurance contributions this month remain unknown as they look ahead into April and beyond. 

“However, while price sensitivity may be growing among UK consumers, spending and brand loyalty seem to be ‘stickier’ in-store, with our recent research showing over a third were less price sensitive when shopping in-store compared to when they bought items online, and half felt more loyal to the bricks-and-mortar brands they shop with.” 

MONTHLY NORTHERN IRELAND RETAIL FOOTFALL (% CHANGE YoY)  

TOTAL FOOTFALL BY REGION (% CHANGE ON 2019) 

TOTAL FOOTFALL BY CITY (% CHANGE ON 2019) 

The post Languishing Northern Ireland footfall figures prompt plea for action  first appeared on Neighbourhood Retailer.

Covering the four weeks 04 July – 31 July 2021

According to BRC-Sensormatic IQ data:

• Total UK Footfall decreased by 28.0% in July (Yo2Y), with a 0.4 percentage point decrease from June. This is below the 3-month average decline of 27.7%.
• Footfall on High Streets declined by 34.6% in July (Yo2Y), 1.2 percentage points below last month’s rate and below the 3-month average decline of 34.1%.
• Retail Parks saw footfall decrease by 15.0% (Yo2Y), 6.9 percentage points below last month’s rate and below the 3-month average decline of 14.1%.
• Shopping Centre footfall declined by 38.4% (Yo2Y), 2.6 percentage points below last month’s rate but above the 3-month average decline of 39.1%.
• For the third consecutive month, Northern Ireland saw the shallowest footfall decline of all regions at -19.9%, followed by Wales at -25.8% and Scotland at -27.1%.  England saw the deepest decline at -28.7%.

Aodhán Connolly, Director of the Northern Ireland Retail Consortium, said:

“It is a mixed picture for Northern Ireland’s high streets and retail destinations. It is welcome news that we have again led the way across the UK, with our footfall now more than eight percentage points above the UK average. However, we remain almost a fifth down on pre-pandemic levels and this reduction in footfall makes things harder for already squeezed retailers.

High Street Stimulus Card

“The launch of the High Street Stimulus Card could not come at a better time as it will give a welcome boost to high street retailers in towns and cities in Northern Ireland. It will create a virtuous circle of spending that supports our economy, boosts local commerce and gives our shoppers some needed retail therapy. We would encourage everyone who is eligible to register for the scheme and make every penny count!”

 Andy Sumpter, Retail Consultant EMEA for Sensormatic Solutions, commented:

“With July’s wet weather dampening shoppers’ spirits, High Street footfall stayed subdued as consumers remained cautious.  Even the hotly debated ‘Freedom Day’ failed to significantly shift the dial on shopper counts, perhaps losing some of its ‘shine’ to the EURO’s which brought forward shopping and socialising trips to earlier in the month.  And in a tale of two halves, Freedom Day may have split consumer confidence, with those revelling in newfound freedoms increasing the frequency of their shopping trips, while those concerned about the relaxation of restrictions on social distancing and mask-wearing becoming more inclined to stay away.

Footfall performance

“However, while footfall performance was flat compared to June, the trajectory in the second half of July gave cause for more cautious optimism; weekend shopper counts improved by 7 percentage points week-on-week following Freedom Day.  Retailers will now be hoping caution will give way to growing consumer confidence so that they can capitalise on summer trading.”

UK FOOTFALL BY LOCATION (% CHANGE WITH 2019)

TOTAL FOOTFALL BY REGION (% CHANGE WITH 2019)

GROWTH RANK	REGION	% GROWTH Yo2Y
1	Northern Ireland	-19.9%
2	South West England	-22.7%
3	North West England	-22.8%
4	East of England	-23.9%
5	East Midlands	-24.1%
6	Wales	-25.8%
7	West Midlands	-25.8%
8	South East England	-26.6%
9	Scotland	-27.1%
10	Yorkshire and the Humber	-27.5%
11	North East England	-28.3%
12	England	-28.7%
13	London	-39.4%

TOTAL FOOTFALL BY CITY (% CHANGE WITH 2019)

The post NI Still Leading on Footfall Bounce Back first appeared on Neighbourhood Retailer.