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UK high street struggles in February as shoppers head for retail parks UK high street struggles in February as shoppers head for retail parks
(6 months later)
Shoppers are deserting the high street in favour of purpose-built retail parks, according to figures that underline tough conditions for retailers.Shoppers are deserting the high street in favour of purpose-built retail parks, according to figures that underline tough conditions for retailers.
Total retail footfall in the UK was down by 1.1% in February, according to figures from the data analysts Springboard and the British Retail Consortium.Total retail footfall in the UK was down by 1.1% in February, according to figures from the data analysts Springboard and the British Retail Consortium.
The bulk of the decline was down to a fall-off in visits to the high street, which were 2.9% lower than the same month in 2015.The bulk of the decline was down to a fall-off in visits to the high street, which were 2.9% lower than the same month in 2015.
Shopping centres also welcomed fewer visitors, down 0.6%, but retail parks reported an increase of 2.5%, partly as a result of additional attractions such as restaurants and entertainment.Shopping centres also welcomed fewer visitors, down 0.6%, but retail parks reported an increase of 2.5%, partly as a result of additional attractions such as restaurants and entertainment.
Overall, every area of the country except Greater London and the south-west experienced a downturn in the number of shoppers coming through retailers’ doors.Overall, every area of the country except Greater London and the south-west experienced a downturn in the number of shoppers coming through retailers’ doors.
Diana Wehrle, marketing and insights director at Springboard, said the disproportionately large fall in high street shopping traffic was down to “the tough retail trading environment”, which has led to shops competing on price to capture customers’ disposable income.Diana Wehrle, marketing and insights director at Springboard, said the disproportionately large fall in high street shopping traffic was down to “the tough retail trading environment”, which has led to shops competing on price to capture customers’ disposable income.
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She said the simultaneous increase seen in retail parks, which tend to feature larger, warehouse-style outlets, reflected demand for furniture and household goods.She said the simultaneous increase seen in retail parks, which tend to feature larger, warehouse-style outlets, reflected demand for furniture and household goods.
She also identified a shift towards shopping in the evening, with customer footfall in February showing a 0.2% increase in the evening, compared with a 3.9% fall during daytime hours.She also identified a shift towards shopping in the evening, with customer footfall in February showing a 0.2% increase in the evening, compared with a 3.9% fall during daytime hours.
Retail parks were able to poach customers from the high street, she said, by “providing the right environments and price points to make out-of-home dining and socialising easy, attractive and affordable”.Retail parks were able to poach customers from the high street, she said, by “providing the right environments and price points to make out-of-home dining and socialising easy, attractive and affordable”.
Helen Dickinson, BRC chief executive, said government policies such as the national living wage and the introduction of an apprenticeship levy were adding to retailers’ costs.Helen Dickinson, BRC chief executive, said government policies such as the national living wage and the introduction of an apprenticeship levy were adding to retailers’ costs.
She called on the chancellor to use Wednesday’s budget to “recognise both the burdens facing retailers as well as our importance to the UK’s economy and communities”.She called on the chancellor to use Wednesday’s budget to “recognise both the burdens facing retailers as well as our importance to the UK’s economy and communities”.