Customer traffic down sharply in week after half-term as severe weather bites
Customer traffic fell sharply last week after four weeks of rising shopper activity across the UK. The latest figures from analyst group FootFall showed shopper numbers fell 11 per cent week-on-week for the week to February 28. This is compared with a week-on-week rise in customer traffic of 7 per cent the previous week.

FootFall analysts said traffic was bound to drop away as children returned to school following the half-term break, but explained that severe weather conditions also kept shoppers away. FootFall marketing manager Natasha Burton said: 'After the footfall high of half-term, last week was always going to mark a sharp drop in week-on-week figures. This drop should be short-lived as Mother's Day approaches with the sales opportunities this presents.

'The snowy weather, and forecasts of more severe conditions throughout the week, also made it difficult to get to the shops in some regions. This, coupled with requests by the authorities to only make journeys that were absolutely necessary, dissuaded some consumers from braving the elements and making unnecessary shopping trips. All this culminated to make the year-on-year rise of 1.2 per cent the lowest this year.'

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