UK footfall down 2.2% in December

Footfall in the UK declined for the ninth month in a row in December, when it fell 2.2% on December 2014, according to new figures from BRC-Springboard. The number was also below the three-month average of a 1.6% decline, spelling trouble for UK retailers.

The high street saw its steepest decline since November 2014, down 4%. Shopping centres also fared badly, with footfall down 2%. The trend for out-of-town retail parks to do better continued - footfall in retail park locations was up 2.1% year-on-year, slightly up on the 2% increase reported in November.

Helen Dickinson, BRC Chief Executive, said: “Shopper footfall shrivelled once again last month and at a faster rate than compared to the three-month average. December was the ninth consecutive month in which shopper footfall has declined, with high streets in particular but also shopping malls continuing to fare poorly. In contrast retail parks once again witnessed footfall growth.

“Retailers are having to revamp their businesses in order to respond to the profound changes in the way we are all shopping."

However, as pointed out by Springboard marketing and insights director Diane Wehrle, traditional retail destinations were negatively affected by the surge in online spending, which began on Black Friday and continued throughout December.

UK footfall down 2.2% in December

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