Retail footfall dropped in January across all destinations as the UK went into lockdown for the third time since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic.

Footfall declined 65.6% in January, which was the first month in full lockdown, compared with a decline of 41.9% in December.

High streets and shopping centres suffered particularly, where footfall fell 72.6% and 73.6% respectively, according to the latest insights from Springboard.

Footfall in retail parks was marginally better – as has been the trend throughout the lockdown periods due to the presence of essential shops – decreasing by 42.1% for the month.

While low, the drop in footfall is not as severe as April 2020, which was the first full month of the first lockdown – footfall in that month declined 80.1%.

The UK vacancy rates also rose to 11.7% in January, as bricks-and-mortar retail continued to suffer from enforced closures.

This figure was up from 11.3% in October last year and far above the 9.8% vacancy rate of January 2020.

Springboard insights director Diane Wehrle said: “The degree of decline is more modest than in Lockdown 1 in all three destination types, but particularly in retail parks where the drop of -42.1% from January 2020  is a third less than the -68.1% drop in April 2020 during Lockdown 1.

“Footfall in high streets and shopping centres in January was around a tenth higher than in April 2020, a smaller differential than in retail parks but nonetheless significant, and possibly a reflection of the activity generated by health services such as dentists and opticians that are continuing to operate.

“The fact that footfall on retail parks was stronger in January 2021 than in April 2020 is interesting as there is generally a greater uplift in retail park footfall in the spring when many shoppers turn their attention to their gardens and homes.

“Stronger footfall in retail parks is synonymous with a degree of lockdown fatigue and pent-up demand to get out of the house and shop, despite food store operators expanding their delivery capability.

“Shoppers are also clearly visiting retail parks for leisure-based trips in the absence of any other opportunity to shop (particularly as drive-thrus and coffee shops continue to offer take-away and click and collect is operating).

“This is the first indication of the potential for a bounce-back in spending when non-essential retailers reopen once again.”

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