Footfall to retail destinations slumped during Christmas Eve morning following a spike in shopper numbers on Monday.
Data from Springboard revealed that footfall dropped 7.8% before midday today, compared to Christmas Eve morning last year.
High streets were the worst hit areas, as traffic fell 8.9% year-on-year.
Shopping centres and retail parks suffered 8.4% and 4.7% declines in footfall respectively.
The decrease in shopper numbers came after a manic Monday, which Springboard suggested was “the busiest trading day” during the peak Christmas period.
Footfall on Monday was up 3.7% from Saturday December 21, and jumped 11.4% compared to Sunday December 22.
Springboard said the data suggested that “the majority of consumers have finished their Christmas shopping”, which would put paid to retailers’ hopes of a late Christmas Eve spike in sales.
The figures, coupled with John Lewis’ slump in sales during week to December 21, have painted a bleak picture of how the final drive for festive sales might have panned out for retailers.
All eyes will now turn to high street stalwart Next, which will become the first major retail to unveil details of its Christmas trading performance on Friday January 3.
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