The positive results are welcomed by the retail industry following the first uplift in footfall in March [+1.3%] since August last year. Despite overall UK footfall being down -2.0% for Good Friday to Easter Sunday, retailers are looking to finish the Bank Holiday on a positive note with Easter Monday footfall tracking at +3.4%, year on year [at 12pm].
Springboard Insights Director, Diane Wehrle says Easter has been a tale of two halves; footfall declined on Good Friday by -5.9%, but increased +4.6% on Easter Saturday compared to last year. Whilst Easter Sunday is not a retail trading day, footfall on high streets, many of which stage events over Easter, increased +1.8% on Easter Sunday last year.
The trend for increased footfall outside of retail hours continues, indicating food and beverage outlets are a key driver of shopper footfall. On Good Friday, footfall dropped -8.2% between 9am and 5pm, year on year, but post 5pm dropped just -1.3%. On Easter Saturday, footfall increased +1.3% between 9am and 5pm and a further +18.9% post 5pm.
Diane says: “This is believed to be a consequence of the worsening of consumer confidence and inflation, which has led to more conservative shopper spending on retail goods and their increased preference for spending on experiences.”
This is also believed to be the driver of UK high streets success. UK high streets outperformed retail parks and shopping centres for the weekend to date, which saw decreases of -2.3% and -8.0%, respectively.
Diane adds: “High streets have led the surge in footfall across the UK this Easter due to their adaptability and diverse hospitality offering, which supports their ability to respond to trends more quickly than retail parks and shopping centres.”
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