Retail footfall across the UK fell to the lowest levels on record in March, although retail parks were better able to weather the storm compared with high streets and shopping centres.
UK shopper numbers plummeted 44.7% in March due to the government’s mandatory lockdown, which restricted movement and forced all non-essential stores to close, according to data by the British Retail Consortium and ShopperTrak.
In the three weeks preceding the lockdown UK footfall declined 17.7% on average. During the two weeks under which the quarantine measures were introduced footfall collapsed 83.2%.
Due to wide open spaces compared with other locations and a higher proportion of supermarkets, retail parks saw footfall hold best during the period, down 23.5% year on year.
Shopping centres by comparison suffered the biggest declines, with footfall down 43.6% year on year. High streets saw a 41.8% fall in footfall, bolstered by a rise in popularity in local convenience stores.
Chief executive of the BRC Helen Dickinson said: “Footfall dropped in early March, as many people chose to stay at home and reduce the risk of catching coronavirus. This downwards trajectory was accelerated by the government’s decision to put the UK on lockdown, with footfall dropping by over 80% on the previous year in the weeks following these measures.
“High streets and shopping centres saw the biggest declines as most shops closed their doors, but retail parks also saw reduced falls due to the presence of many essential retailers remaining open for business.
“Retail is facing an unprecedented challenge, particularly those geared towards high street sales. Government schemes, including loans, furlough payments and business rates respite, have been welcomed by the industry as an essential lifeline.
“However, many jobs and businesses depend on this backing and government must remain flexible in their support over the coming weeks, with footfall expected to fall even further.”
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