High street affected by football
Shopper numbers on the high streets fell sharply during the second week in May, according to the latest FootFall figures.

Numbers were down 5.2 per cent year-on-year and fell 2.4 per cent compared with the previous week.

Traditionally, week 19 - May 8 to May 14 this year - is always the weakest of the year.

Department stores fared particularly badly, with customer numbers down 10.4 per cent compared with the previous week and decreasing 1.4 per cent year-on-year. It is the first time this year that the sector has underperformed the rest of the high street.

Saturday's FA Cup Final kept potential shoppers indoors and off the high streets.

FootFall spokewoman Natasha Burton said: 'With the World Cup on the horizon, Saturday's FA Cup match gave the first hint of the effects of sporting events on footfall levels and it will be up to the retailers to prepare themselves for the World Cup influence over the coming weeks.'

Topics