Last weekend (14-15 December) thankfully saw retail footfall jump as shoppers were out in full force following the previous weekend’s shopping being disrupted by Storm Darragh, according to two key reports.

According to Sensormatic Solutions there was a 15.4% footfall rise on the previous weekend, with high streets the best performing retail destination, jumping 25.8% versus the weekend before.

MRI Software’s figures showed footfall on Saturday jumped an even better 28.7% in all UK retail destinations.

Both agreed the impressive gains were driven by pent-up shopper demand with many people having to cancel Christmas shopping last weekend due to disruption from Storm Darragh, “prompting a significant surge in bricks-and-mortar shopping”, said Sensormatic Solutions.

Its ShopperTrak Analytics insights platform, which captures 40 billion store visits globally each year, revealed that Saturday (14 December) saw the biggest increase in shopper counts, rising 23.3% on the week prior. 

The Saturday was also expected to be the third busiest in-store shopping day of Peak Trading period behind the upcoming ‘Super Saturday’ (21 December) and ‘Manic Monday’ (23 December).
 
Sunday, although more modest, also saw a weekly boost for shopper counts, up 5.2%, with the High Street seeing the greatest increase, up 13.9% compared to the Sunday before.

Andy Sumpter, Sensormatic Solutions’ EMEA Retail Consultant, said: “While this weekend delivered a welcome boost to footfall performance, some of the busiest and most important days for pre-Christmas trading are yet to come.

“Retailers will have their eyes firmly on prize of Super Saturday, tipped to be the busiest in-store festive shopping day of 2024, this coming weekend, as they look to drive ambient, seasonal footfall and sales in-store.”

MRI Software’s own report showed UK weekend retail footfall bounced back strongly following the previous weekend’s storm disruption with the rebound seen particularly on the Saturday, it noted.

A strong week emerged for all UK retail destinations with steady week-on-week rises recorded daily from Monday to Thursday. High streets in particular saw the greatest rise on Wednesday and Thursday “which may well align with the festive party season and is also reflected in week-on-week trends reaching double figures for regional cities outside of London”, it added.

All regions experienced strong week on week gains, however western parts of the UK including Wales and the South West saw the strongest rebound “which is to be expected following Storm Darragh”.

Footfall rose by 5.4% in all UK retail destinations across last week from the week before. High streets led the charge with a week on week rise in footfall of 6.6%, followed by shopping centres (+6.4%) and retail parks (+2%).

But footfall on Saturday led the way, rising by 28.7% in all UK retail destinations. Midweek performance was also particularly strong for high streets with footfall rising by an average of 7.2% on Wednesday and Thursday compared to the week before.

It said the attraction of many festive markets, events and the party season were well and truly under way,  reflected in a week on week rise in activity of 10.5% in regional cities outside of London especially in the North & Yorkshire (+6.7%) and the East Midlands (+6.3%). The South West and Wales witnessed week on week rises of 13.3% and 21.3%, respectively, however much of this uplift will be, of course, a rebound from Storm Darragh.

MRI Software said: “As we enter the final full trading week before Christmas, it’s likely there will be a surge of activity in all UK retail destinations. However, the greatest uplift is likely to be over the weekend particularly on ‘Panic Saturday’ as shoppers look to finalise their gifts and grocery shopping. This much needed boost will be key in closing out the Golden Quarter”.