There was a modest rise in retail footfall across the UK of 1.7% in March compared with February – the lowest month-on-month rise for this period in the last decade, according to data from MRI Software.
The company said the figures suggest that footfall trends are starting to stabilise in all retail destinations. Retail parks led the charge witnessing an overall rise of 4.3% month-on-month compared with marginal rises in high streets (1.2%) and shopping centres (0.2%).
Much of the uplift in footfall was driven by activity in retail parks in the final week of the month leading up to Easter, which also coincided with payday and the start of the Easter school holidays. Footfall rose by 10.3% on the week prior and was up 2.7% year-on-year.
MRI said it expected the fresh set of rail strikes taking place in the early part of this month, which coincide with the Easter school holidays, may dampen footfall in April, especially in towns and cities.
It added: “This new wave of strike action will no doubt impact businesses reliant on footfall during the school holidays such as leisure and hospitality particularly in market and historic towns, as well as regional cities including London. However, there may well be optimism for coastal towns, visitor attractions, and retail destinations where families can travel by car.”
