UK DIY News

MRI: Footfall Dipped Last Week

MRI Software has published its latest OnLocation Index for week 41, covering Sunday to Saturday, the week 06/10/2024 - 12/10/2024.

Overall

2024 vs 2023: -0.9%
Week-on-week: -1.2%

High Street

2024 vs 2023: -2.1%
Week-on-week: -1.0%

Shopping Centre

2024 vs 2023: -0.6%
Week-on-week: -2.1%

Retail Park

2024 vs 2023: +1.5%
Week-on-week: -0.7%

Jenni Matthews, Marketing & Insights Director, OnLocation for Footfall Analytics at MRI Software, said:

Last week, footfall dipped slightly in all UK retail destinations when compared with the week before which is in line with historical trends witnessed in the same week last year.

High streets and shopping centres started the week on a positive note, with healthy rises in footfall recorded on Monday – likely a rebound from the significant declines observed on the same day in the week prior. However, the remainder of the week was more mixed with modest fluctuations in footfall across all UK retail destinations. Saturday, in particular, saw a sharp decline in footfall in high streets and shopping centres, which may have been influenced by poor weather conditions in parts of the UK. Retail parks, however, showed greater resilience, recording only a marginal decline.

In Central London, a busy week of business events likely contributed to a rise in footfall, highlighting the positive impact which these events have on the local economy. Footfall in office locations within the city saw no change from the week prior, while regional cities outside of London witnessed a decline in activity. Annually, all town types experienced marginal declines with coastal and market towns hit hardest. This may be reflective of a stronger return to office this year compared to last, as well as the recent shifts in weather.

Overall, footfall dropped by -1.2% in all UK retail destinations last week from the week before largely driven by a -2.1% decline in shopping centres, followed by high streets (-1%). In contrast, retail parks fared better with only a modest decline of -0.7% recorded.

Activity rose on only two out of the seven days last week in all UK retail destinations which was mainly due to the uplift seen in high streets on Monday and Tuesday averaging +9.7%. However, Wednesday saw a notable drop of -3.7%, likely in response to last week’s performance when much of the bounce back occurred as a result of the flooding two weeks ago. Saturday’s decline of -6.2% coincided with deteriorating weather conditions across parts of the UK.

Central London footfall rose by +1.4% week on week which may well be indicative of the numerous business events taking place across parts of the capital last week driving activity from across the UK. However, footfall in office locations in the city remained flat from the week before. Coastal towns experienced the steepest decline, with a -7.1% drop, followed by historic towns (-2.7%). Compared to 2023, coastal and market towns witnessed the greatest declines of -5% and -2.8%, respectively, whereas all other town types experienced marginal declines.

High streets and shopping centres saw declines in footfall of -2.1% and -0.6%, respectively, compared to last year, whereas retail parks experienced a modest rise of +1.5% which continues to reinforce the appeal of enclosed environments and the vast choice of stores, leisure and hospitality options available for them.

Source : MRI Software