In the latest footfall report for Week 30, 2024, UK retail centres have experienced a notable 3% increase in footfall compared to the previous week. This rise in footfall statistics is particularly significant in Northern Ireland, which leads with a 5% increase. However, the average dwell time across the UK has slightly decreased by 2%, with Scotland seeing the most substantial reduction at 4%.
Regional Dynamics: Winners and Losers in Retail Footfall
The North West of England stands out with the highest footfall increase this week, up by 7%. In contrast, Wales has seen a decrease of 3%, marking it as the region with the least footfall. Notably, Manchester’s Arndale Centre and Cardiff’s St. David’s Shopping Centre reflect these trends, with Arndale experiencing an increase in visitors and St. David’s seeing a drop.
Metrics Matter: Diving Deep into Footfall, Dwell Time, and Visitation Patterns
This week’s footfall data reveals an overall increase, but dwell time has seen a mixed response. The South East, for instance, experienced a slight increase in dwell time by 1%. Weekpart visitation peaked during weekend evenings, indicating a trend towards leisure shopping post-work hours. These patterns align with seasonal shopping behaviours observed in previous years.
Looking Ahead: Predicting the Next Month’s Trends
Based on year-on-year footfall data, we anticipate a steady increase in footfall over the next four weeks, influenced by upcoming school holidays and seasonal shopping events. Last year, a similar pattern was observed, suggesting a repeat trend influenced by these annual events.
About Huq Industries and Our Data
Huq Industries, a leader in location intelligence for the retail and real-estate sectors, provides this analysis. The data is sourced from over 2,700 retail centres across the UK, making it one of the most comprehensive footfall reports in the industry.
