In January, UK footfall increased by 6.6% year-on-year, reflecting positive trends across various shopping environments. Each territory saw improvements, with High Streets, Retail Parks, and Shopping Centres showing substantial gains. Helen Dickinson from the British Retail Consortium emphasized the boost in shopper traffic due to January sales, despite seasonal weather challenges. However, looming additional costs threaten future investments by retailers aimed at enhancing customer experience, prompting calls for governmental support in limiting business expenses to stimulate economic growth.
Shopper footfall received a welcome boost in January following a disappointing festive period. Store visits increased substantially in the first week of the month as many consumers hit the January sales in their local community.
Despite snowy weather and Storm Eowyn causing disruption in some areas, footfall was still positive across major UK cities over the whole month.
Retailers want to invest more in stores and staff to enhance the shopping experience for customers and help to grow the economy, but the swathe of additional costs from April will limit investment.
To drive growth in communities across the country, the government must ensure costs are limited in other areas. This can be done by delaying packaging taxes.
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