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Although total UK footfall is still down on pre-pandemic figures, the levels of that decline are starting to fall.
Total footfall fell by 40% in April compared with April two years ago, but there was a 28.7% improvement since March this year.
The BRC-Sensormatic IQ data compared total retail footfall in the UK with figures from two years ago, rather than the usual one, in order to get a more realistic comparison with normal trading.
Helen Dickinson, BRC chief executive, welcomed the return of customers to high streets and retail parks but remains cautious.
She said: “It is unlikely we will see a return to pre-pandemic levels anytime soon, as social distancing measures naturally restrict retailers’ capacity. Retail parks continue to fare better than shopping centres and high streets, as they benefit from the presence of large stores, more space and on-site parking.”
Dickinson added that reforming the business rates system would be vital to the survival of many stores.
Andy Sumpter, retail consultant EMEA for Sensormatic Solutions, said: “While footfall remains 40% down compared to pre-pandemic levels in 2019, consumer signals for a return to in-store shopping were promising.”
He added the research indicated continuing customer support for bricks-and-mortar retail, “with 71% of shoppers vowing to make a conscious effort to shop in-store now that retail has re-opened”.
Among major UK cities, Cardiff had the lowest decline in April footfall compared to 2019, at -35.5%. The biggest decline was in Belfast, at -55.3%, while London was mid-table, at -46.9%.
