Growth in UK retail footfall is at an 11-year high according to the latest figures from Ipsos Retail Performance.
Year-on-year growth currently stands at 3.7% according to the global retail and footfall consultant’s latest Retail Traffic Index. The figures are derived from the number of shoppers entering over 4,000 non-food retail stores across the UK.
July started strongly, with footfall during the first week at its highest peak since the final week of 2014. This then repeated itself week-on-week for the remainder of the month, culminating in the last week of July being the busiest week of the year so far. Average weekly footfall jumped 10.9% on June, the strongest summer hike since 2006.
All five regions of the UK secured year-on-year growth for the first time since January. Of all the areas, footfall growth on 2014 was highest in Northern England for the fifth consecutive month.
Dr Tim Denison, director of retail intelligence at Ipsos Retail Performance, said: “Following a disappointing June, it’s apparent that retailers are right back on track this month. Shops got busier and busier as July rolled on. The good weather not only helped promote a feel good factor across the country, but also led to a rapid response from shoppers. The sun, it seems, was more effective than any set of strong economic indicators.
“We’ve seen real wage growth now for nine consecutive months, and currently it is at its highest rate since before the financial crisis, yet all it has taken is a bit of British sunshine to get everyone back out more regularly on the high street.”
Footfall change: July 2015 vs July 2014
Scotland & Northern Ireland +2.2%
North of England +7.5%
The Midlands +4.8%
South West England & Wales +2.7%
South East England & London +0.6%
Footfall change: July 2015 vs June 2015
Scotland & Northern Ireland +7.3%
North of England +9.7%
The Midlands +11.1%
South West England & Wales +14.0%
South East England & London +11.5%
