UK high street footfall is hit as retail feels early blow from Plan B

(Alliance News) - UK retail footfall dropped last week, according to data on Monday, with consumers even shying away from high streets on Saturday, a typically busy day.

Numbers from retail insights firm Springboard showed footfall declined by 1.1% on a weekly basis in the seven days to December 11. A week earlier, footfall had risen 0.7% weekly.

"Whilst Plan B restrictions, such as advice to work from home if possible, don't come into force until today, it appears to have already had an impact last week," Springboard Insights Director Diane Wehrle commented on Monday.

It is typically around this part of the year that the sector sees a boost in footfall as shoppers flood retail destinations for Christmas shopping. This boost did not materialise last week, however, Wehrle noted.

"The week as a whole was impacted by a particularly poor result on Tuesday when there was a double-digit decline from the week before, undoubtedly due to severe weather, however footfall on Saturday - the peak trading day - was subdued with a marginal drop from the week before," Wehrle added.

Consumers are once again mindful of the spread of Covid-19, following the emergence of the Omicron variant. In a televised, pre-recorded address on Sunday, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said Britain "must urgently reinforce our wall of vaccine protection" as he set a new deadline of jabbing everyone over 18 by the new year.

He warned of a "tidal wave of Omicron" that could cause "very many deaths".

Shares in London-listed retailers were weaker on Monday. Next PLC fell by 0.2%, JD Sports Fashion PLC by 0.9% and Burberry Group PLC by 1.8%. Associated British Foods PLC, the owner of high street chain Primark, lost 0.6%.

The UK's Plan B measures come into force this week, including a return to work from home guidance on Monday and mandatory Covid passports for large venues from Wednesday.

The use of face coverings in more settings, including cinemas, theatres and churches, was required as of last week Friday.

Springboard's Wehrle explained the compulsory mask-wearing is likely to "have increased nervousness amongst consumers".

By Eric Cunha; ericcunha@alliancenews.com

Copyright 2021 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved.