Footfall increased during the week ending December 18, up by 10.7% compared to the previous week.
According to the UK Experian Footfall Index the number of shoppers visiting high streets and shopping centres was also up marginally when compared to the same week the previous year, increasing by 0.6%, primarily due to the amount of snow during the same week last year which forced many shoppers to stay at home.
Across the entire week (12-18 December) it was the weekend (17-18 December) when footfall was strongest with a 9.3% increase when compared to the same weekend last year.
Retail parks also reported an upbeat performance with a 6.2% week-on-week footfall increase and a 1% year-on-year footfall increase. On Sunday alone footfall to retail parks was up by 12.4% compared to the same Sunday the previous year.
According to Experian, the surge in footfall over the weekend could be attributed to shoppers making last minute purchases the weekend before Christmas.
Experian also added that these figures are a reason for retailers to stay hopeful in the run-up to Christmas, especially with Christmas Day falling on a Sunday meaning there is an extra Christmas shopping day this year.
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