Footfall boost for Welsh retailers but future remains uncertain
2020 was a turbulent year in which much of retail bounced between being open and closed, impacting footfall significantly. To make meaningful comparisons to changes in footfall, all 2021 figures are compared with 2019 (pre-pandemic). This means our 2021 figures are now year-on-two-years (Yo2Y), rather than year-on-year (YoY).
According to WRC-Sensormatic IQ data:
- Welsh footfall decreased by 38.2% in April (Yo2Y), a 33.0 percentage point increase from March. This is above the UK average decline of 40.0% (Yo2Y). This meant Wales saw the shallowest decline in footfall out of all UK nations.
- Shopping Centre footfall declined by 54.8% in April (Yo2Y) in Wales, up from -81.6% in March.
- In April, footfall in Cardiff decreased by 35.5% (Yo2Y), a 35.8 percentage point improvement from March.
Sara Jones, head of policy and external affairs, Welsh Retail Consortium, said: “Following the re-opening of ‘non-essential’ retail towards the middle of April it is encouraging to see a recovery in footfall with many customers making the most of the retail experience on offer across Welsh high streets and shopping centres. Whilst many retailers have pivoted during the Covid pandemic, and sought to offer new online formats due to enforced closure, we know that many of our shoppers have been missing the physical bricks-and-mortar customer experience. As a sector we are delighted to have the opportunity to repay our customers’ loyalty and to be able to re-open our doors once more and play our part in Wales’ economic recovery.
“Whilst we are certainly buoyed by these figures, it is clear that there is still a long way to go before we see a return to anything like pre-pandemic trading. With restrictions still in place such as numbers in store and social distancing, and with many parts of the wider high street ecosystem yet to be fully re-opened, the longer term picture of recovery remains uncertain. Coupled with both Covid related and wider cost pressures the industry will need to see ongoing support, both in terms of that which can be provided by government and through the patronage of our customers over the coming months.”
Andy Sumpter, retail consultant EMEA for Sensormatic Solutions, commented: “Retail beginning to unlock saw a promising boost for the UK High Street. While footfall still remains 40% down compared to pre-pandemic levels in 2019, consumer demand signals for a return to in-store shopping were promising; despite occupancy limits restricting the numbers of customers allowed inside, shoppers happily braved long queues to get back in-store and shop their favourite brands in real life, after months confined to shopping from behind a screen.
“However, retailers will be hoping that the lift in shopper traffic as they reopen can be sustained past pent-up demand in order to fuel long-term recovery. Our research shows an overwhelming amount of consumer support for bricks-and-mortar retail, with 71% of shoppers vowing to make a conscious effort to shop in-store once retail’s reopened, with many having missed the experience of in-store shopping when lockdown shuttered shops and other saying ‘screen fatigue’ had set in. Retailers will be counting on shoppers acting on that sentiment and voting with their feet to support the shops that serve their communities.”
