Inflation depresses shopper numbers
The number of people visiting retail destinations falls behind 2005 levels by 5.6 per cent.
Although there was a modest increase in week-on-week footfall levels of 1.3%, this is in line with seasonal trends and will do little to alleviate retailers’ fears for the long term.
Natasha Burton, spokesperson for FootFall, “With a likely interest rate rise in November expected, 2006 is proving to be a very frustrating year for retailers. We would expect a combination of the half-term holidays and Halloween to provide some relief and a surge of people visiting retail destinations, but consumers are clearly concerned over squeezed disposable income levels as household bills and high street prices rise. This is likely to have an impact on Christmas shopping levels.
“Despite this, Halloween marketing campaigns and product lines have now been launched and retailers will be hoping that these kick start demand and entice people back to retail destinations.
“The Town Centre index continues to follow the national trend, with warmer than average temperatures exacerbating problems for retailers and stifling demand for seasonal product lines.”
