Total UK footfall decreased by 7.3% in December compared to pre-pandemic figures, but was 6.0 percentage better than November’s data, according to BRC-Sensormatic IQ data.
The data shows that high streets footfall declined by 9.3% in December compared to pre-pandemic figures but was 4.3 percentage points better than last month’s rate.
Shopping Centre footfall declined by 19.9% compared to pre-pandemic data but was 3.3 percentage points better than last month’s figures.
Scotland saw the steepest footfall decline in December at -9.9%, while Northern Ireland saw the shallowest footfall decline of all nations and regions at -3.0%, followed by England at -8.7% and Wales at -9.6%.
Total UK footfall for 2022 was 11.8% below pre-pandemic levels, a big improvement on 2021 footfall which was 33.2% below pre-pandemic levels.
On a year-on-year basis, total footfall increased by 15.1%; high streets by 19.7%, and shopping centres by 13.4%.
Helen Dickinson, Chief Executive of the British Retail Consortium, said: “Footfall reached its highest level since the start of the pandemic in December. A combination of rail disruption and the cold snap kept many shoppers from visiting town centres and high streets in the last week before Christmas. Meanwhile, the postal strikes forced others to head in for the last week to secure last minute gifts in-store.
“Historically low consumer confidence and 30-year-high inflation made for an exceptionally difficult year for consumers and retailers, with footfall down over 10% on pre-pandemic levels. Nonetheless, this was still a significant improvement on the previous two years when the pandemic kept many people at home. Although retailers’ input costs show little sign of easing in 2023, they continue to do all they can to keep prices affordable and tempt customers in.”
Andy Sumpter, Retail Consultant EMEA for Sensormatic Solutions, added: “Physical retail rallied in December, with store performance last month posting its best footfall counts compared to pre-pandemic figures all year. Retailers rose above an onslaught of festive disruption, from snow chaos to rail and mail strikes impacting consumers’ shopping journeys both on- and off-line, disrupting pre-Christmas travel to shopping hubs and creating online delivery backlogs and delays. And, once again, it was the in-store teams that kept retailers’ doors open and able to continue to serve their customers and communities.
“Looking ahead to 2023, retailers will be hoping for more stability and support to help them chart a trading course for success in the light of continued economic headwinds, as they adapt their retail offers to the needs of the cost-of-living consumer.”
