Shoppers out in force on Boxing Day
The latest data from Experian FootFall showed that the number of shoppers were up year-on-year by +18.55% for Boxing Day versus Boxing Day last year.
“As temperatures increased so did the number of shoppers, and there was merriment on most UK High Streets with 18.55% more shoppers compared to Boxing Day last year. Shopping centres in Scotland however will not have had such increases as the snow continues to prevent some shoppers from venturing out” said Anita Sharma Manan, Senior Quantitative Analyst at Experian.
“Retailers are recognising the importance of Boxing Day shopping as there were more shopping centres open compared to previous years, and centres or retailers that didn’t open this Boxing day may be feeling that they have lost out on their share of the consumers’ wallet.
“The heavy discounting strategy is still working to lure shoppers into stores, with retailers offering discounts of up to 75% and 90%, and some consumers will have held on to their cash and waited especially for this day to spend on higher priced items which will have come down to a more affordable price.
“Inevitably as the times for many consumers remain difficult in this economic climate, there is also a necessity to shop when prices are low as well as the desire to ‘bag a bargain’ and the satisfaction gained in doing so.
“Retailers will have been elated at this year’s performance, however it remains to be seen if the takings will be enough this year to see them through this difficult period to the next quarter. With more shopping centres yet to open and key retailers launching their ‘official’ post-Christmas sales today (27th December 2009) there is every expectation that the remainder of the weekend could be busy.”
