Footfall levels continued to inch up last week, despite the introduction of mandatory face masks and unseasonably wet weather over the weekend in England. 

Footfall across the UK rose 4.4% on average week on week across all regions, matching the 4.5% uptick in footfall the previous week, according to the latest figures from Springboard.

The new regulation to wear face masks in English shops came into play on July 24, but footfall still continued to grow – albeit at different rates across the UK.

In England, footfall across all shopping destinations for the week increased by 4%, compared with 6.4% in Scotland. Masks were made mandatory in Scottish stores from July 10, meaning shoppers there are more used to the practice. 

In Northern Ireland and Wales, where masks are not compulsory, footfall was slightly higher, averaging rises of 9.4% and 8.7% respectively.

Weekend impact

On Friday and Saturday, the first two days affected by the new rule, footfall in English retail destinations declined by 1.7% on average.

Scotland, on the other hand, saw a 5.3% rise in footfall on those two days. Northern Ireland and Wales also saw increased footfall on Friday and Saturday, rising by 1.8% and 2.7% respectively.

The biggest decline in footfall was seen on English high streets, down by 7.7% on Saturday – but this is likely to be due to the heavy rain seen across the UK.

Shopping centres, where customers can avoid the elements, fared the best over the weekend, rising 4.8% on average across all regions week on week.

Inching up

With the exception of a few bright sparks, footfall is still down year on year, averaging a decline of 38.4% across all destinations in the UK.

Retail parks in Wales and Northern Ireland were the only locations to see a positive result year on year, rising by 6.8% and 1% respectively.

Retail parks in general have fared better throughout lockdown due to the presence of essential stores, but this is the first time there has been a postive improvement year on year.

High street and shopping centre footfall across all regions remains low, at around 40% below the same period last year, but this is a major improvement from the all-time low decline of 80% at the height of lockdown.

Annually, footfall is continuing to inch up each week – up 1.8% across all destinations compared with week five – indicating hope for the coming weeks.

Springboard insights director Diane Wehrle said: ”Last week delivered another first – the first time that wearing a face covering became mandatory in retail stores and enclosed destinations in England.

”The first few days of the latest government guidelines have not yet delivered conclusive evidence of their impact on activity in bricks-and-mortar destinations; however, it is positive news for retailers that the annual performance is continuing to improve.”