LONDON, July 10 (Reuters) - British shoppers returned to the
high street in June as the coronavirus lockdown eased, but
overall numbers were much lower than normal for the time of
year, an industry survey showed on Friday.
The monthly report from the British Retail Consortium trade
body and market research firm ShopperTrak showed footfall was
down 63% in annual terms in June, although this was 19
percentage points above May's reading.
Non-essential stores were allowed to reopen on June 15 in
England, but shopper numbers were still 53% lower than normal in
the second half the month, compared with a 77% shortfall in the
first two weeks when only essential stores were open.
"(The) UK recovery has been sluggish, especially compared
with European standards, but retailers with stores remain
hopeful that the reopening of hospitality will provide a welcome
boost," said BRC chief executive Helen Dickinson.
Pubs and restaurants reopened last weekend, and on Wednesday
finance minister Rishi Sunak said the government would fund
discounts on eating out on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays in
August.
(Reporting by Andy Bruce, editing by David Milliken)