Springboard says hopes for footfall rebound have been washed away
February highlighted the fragility of high streets, according to footfall analyst Springboard.
The severe and ongoing rain led to a drop in high street footfall of -7.8 per cent across the month.
Whilst shopping centres and retail parks may still appealed to many shoppers for their covered environments and ease of access and proximity of parking, it stil fell by -2.5 per cent in shopping centres and by 1.1 per cent in retail parks. The high street suffered the biggest losses, with footfall dropping by 7.8 per cent.
And although Covid-19 did not impact footfall in February, Springboard has noted that the month ended before the warning of its increased severity was made and that moving forward it is likely that shopper activity will be stemmed as consumers become more wary about interacting in public spaces.
Diane Wehrle, Springboard Marketing and Insights Director said: “If further proof of the fragility of high streets were needed, it was provided in February when the impact of the severe and ongoing rain led to a drop in footfall of -7.8 per cent.
“Whilst an average of 17 days of rain across the UK over the month led to shoppers staying away from high streets, shopping centres and retail parks still appealed to many by virtue of either their covered environment or ease of access and proximity of parking, which in retail parks is free of charge.
“If Covid-19 had been a significant factor then it is likely that all three destination types would have been impacted more equally. However, the month ended before the warning of its increased severity in the UK was made, and so moving forward it is likely that shopper activity will be stemmed as consumers become more wary about interacting in public spaces.”
