This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-65203975
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| High Streets see revival of weekend shopping | High Streets see revival of weekend shopping |
| (about 13 hours later) | |
| Weekend shopping is seeing a revival as more people return to working in offices during the week, according to a UK retail group. | Weekend shopping is seeing a revival as more people return to working in offices during the week, according to a UK retail group. |
| The number of shoppers visiting stores at the weekend rose 9.7% in March from a year earlier, the British Retail Consortium (BRC) said. | The number of shoppers visiting stores at the weekend rose 9.7% in March from a year earlier, the British Retail Consortium (BRC) said. |
| However, the BRC said footfall remained below pre-pandemic levels, and the recent recovery in numbers had slowed. | However, the BRC said footfall remained below pre-pandemic levels, and the recent recovery in numbers had slowed. |
| Households' finances are still being squeezed by soaring prices. | Households' finances are still being squeezed by soaring prices. |
| Inflation - the rate at which prices rise - jumped to 10.4% in the year to February, close to a 40-year high. | Inflation - the rate at which prices rise - jumped to 10.4% in the year to February, close to a 40-year high. |
| The overall number of shoppers visiting stores is still down 10.2% from pre-pandemic levels, the BRC said, with consumers and businesses facing a "challenging economic environment". | The overall number of shoppers visiting stores is still down 10.2% from pre-pandemic levels, the BRC said, with consumers and businesses facing a "challenging economic environment". |
| However, the ongoing return to the office has caused many people to "refocus their shopping trips back to the weekend", BRC chief executive Helen Dickinson said. | However, the ongoing return to the office has caused many people to "refocus their shopping trips back to the weekend", BRC chief executive Helen Dickinson said. |
| Total UK footfall rose by 6.8% in March from a year earlier, but that marked a slowdown from the trend seen during the previous three months. | Total UK footfall rose by 6.8% in March from a year earlier, but that marked a slowdown from the trend seen during the previous three months. |
| Why are prices rising so much? | Why are prices rising so much? |
| How much are prices rising for you? Try our calculator | How much are prices rising for you? Try our calculator |
| Andy Sumpter, retail consultant for analytics firm Sensormatic Solutions, who worked with the BRC to collect the data, said the rise in shopper numbers was "no small feat" given cost of living pressures, high inflation and strike disruptions. | Andy Sumpter, retail consultant for analytics firm Sensormatic Solutions, who worked with the BRC to collect the data, said the rise in shopper numbers was "no small feat" given cost of living pressures, high inflation and strike disruptions. |
| "While the retail footfall recovery slowed marginally last month compared to pre-pandemic levels, we continue to see shopper numbers continue to normalise and the ebbs and flows in performance are becoming less pronounced," he added. | "While the retail footfall recovery slowed marginally last month compared to pre-pandemic levels, we continue to see shopper numbers continue to normalise and the ebbs and flows in performance are becoming less pronounced," he added. |
| The number of people visiting retail parks fell, the BRC found, which Mr Sumpter said was down to households avoiding higher priced purchases, such as furniture, kitchen items and beds. | The number of people visiting retail parks fell, the BRC found, which Mr Sumpter said was down to households avoiding higher priced purchases, such as furniture, kitchen items and beds. |
| Rising prices of many essential goods - such as food and energy - have increased pressure on households' budgets. | Rising prices of many essential goods - such as food and energy - have increased pressure on households' budgets. |
| The latest inflation figures found that food prices in February rose at their fastest rate in 45 years with salad and vegetable shortages helping to push food inflation to 18.2%. | |
| Related Topics | Related Topics |
| Coronavirus lockdown measures | Coronavirus lockdown measures |
| Retailing | Retailing |
| UK economy | UK economy |
| Shopping | Shopping |
| British Retail Consortium | British Retail Consortium |
Previous version
1
Next version