Recent data from Huq Industries reveals nuanced trends in footfall, dwell time, and visitation patterns across UK shopping centres, highlighting regional variations and the impact of economic factors on consumer behaviour. The data, covering over 2,700 retail centres, shows that while some regions experienced declines in footfall and dwell time, others saw significant increases, suggesting a complex landscape influenced by local conditions and consumer confidence.
Shopping Centres Daily Footfall
Regional Analysis
In the North West, there was a slight decrease in average daily footfall compared to the previous week. Dwell time however decreased compared to the last 12 months, indicating shorter visits.
Northern Ireland faced more pronounced challenges, with a week-on-week decrease in footfall and dwell time compared to the last 12 months. Notably, the working weekday visitation share in Northern Ireland increased significantly.
The South West and Scotland also experienced declines in footfall and dwell time, with the South West seeing a decrease in footfall compared to the last 12 months and Scotland experiencing a decrease in dwell time year-on-year.
Conversely, the East of England and London showed positive trends, with the East of England experiencing a good increase in footfall year-on-year and London seeing a strong increase. These regions also saw increases in dwell time, indicating a more engaged consumer base.
Top Performers and Underperformers
The data also highlights top performers and underperformers among individual shopping centres. Clacton Factory Outlet in the East of England and Braehead in Scotland were among the top performers, showing significant increases in footfall. In contrast, Astle Park in the West Midlands and Hertfordshire Galleria Outlet in the East of England faced declines, reflecting the varied impact of economic and local factors on retail centres across the UK.
Market Outlook
This detailed analysis from Huq Industries not only provides insights into consumer behaviour but also assists retailers and commercial real-estate companies in strategising and adapting to the evolving market conditions. Based on the direction of the latest data and trends observed this time last year, we can anticipate continued growth in regions like London, while other areas may face ongoing challenges.
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Track consumer footfall and spend dynamics across your store network using Huq data and compare to your own sales data. Gain insights into crucial questions such as ‘are we out-performing the market’, ‘where our similar locations for new store growth’, and ‘how healthy is this retail centre’.
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