Retail footfall falls in February

BRC-Springboard Footfall and Vacancies monitor has revealed that consumer footfall in UK retail parks fell by 1.6% in February 2017, the largest single fall since 2013. The decline was driven predominantly by spending on furniture and household products, traditionally a significant footfall driver for retail parks. Footfall at UK shopping centres also fell, in there case by 2.6% in the month.

Diane Wehrle, insights director at Springboard, said: “Footfall in February was a tale of two halves. Whilst footfall improved slightly with a drop of 1% per cent compared to 1.3% in January, this decline is not reflective of the stabilisation of consumer behaviour.”

Wehrle believes that increasing uncertainty arising from the imminent triggering of Article 50 has started to impact purchasing behaviour, the types of destinations shoppers are visiting and how they spend their money.

She added: “High streets are clearly benefiting as the destination of choice for dining and leisure, whilst shopping centres continue to underperform as they struggle with a weak entertainment and leisure offer, coupled with increasing caution amongst consumers around retail spend.”

Source: Insight DIY Team

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