In the latest week of 2024, ending September 22, Huq Industries has provided a comprehensive snapshot of footfall trends across various types of retail centres in the UK. This week’s data reveals significant regional and type-specific variations that are crucial for retailers and real estate professionals to understand and adapt to the evolving consumer landscape.
Daily Footfall by Retail Centre Type
Local Retail Centres
In local retail centres, Scotland and Northern Ireland have shown a modest increase in footfall. This data, highlighted in the Local Retail Centres Week 38, 2024 report, also notes significant regional variations in dwell times, particularly in Northern Ireland where there has been a notable increase in average visit duration compared to the previous year.
Major Retail Centres
Major retail centres, particularly in London, have experienced a strong increase in footfall year-on-year as detailed in the Major Retail Centres Footfall Report for Week 38, 2024. This increase is coupled with a rise in dwell time, indicating not only more visits but longer stays. The report also highlights a significant increase in weekday visitation, suggesting a shift in consumer shopping habits towards weekdays.
High Streets & Town Centres
High Streets and Town Centres, especially in London, have also seen positive trends. The footfall in London’s High Streets and Town Centres has increased year-on-year, including an increase in dwell time, as reported in the High Streets & Town Centres Week 38, 2024 article.
Retail Parks
Retail parks have shown varied trends across the UK. The West Midlands, for example, saw a modest year-on-year increase in footfall and a significant increase in dwell time as per the Retail Parks Footfall Report: Week 38, 2024. Conversely, the North East experienced a strong increase in footfall year-on-year, although dwell time decreased slightly indicating shorter visits.
Shopping Centres
Shopping centres in the East of England have experienced a strong surge in both footfall and dwell time year-on-year. This is detailed in the Shopping Centres Footfall Report Week 38, 2024. Such significant increases suggest a robust recovery and a positive market outlook for the region.
Market Outlook
Looking ahead, the direction of the latest footfall data suggests that the coming weeks may see continued variability in footfall patterns across different types of retail centres and regions. Retailers should monitor these trends closely to adjust their strategies accordingly. The robust recovery in London across various retail formats is particularly noteworthy, indicating strong consumer confidence and spending in the capital.
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