FootFall slows in September
Published: 13 October, 2010
The Experian UK FootFall National Index for September 2010 saw a 0.9 per cent rise compared to the same period last year and a month-on-month decline of 1.6 per cent compared with August 2010.
The drop month-on-month was marginally bigger than August to September last year and the year-on-year growth rate is not as pronounced as the increase in August, which was 1.9 per cent.
Neil Bennett, senior analyst at Experian FootFall, said: “The month started slowly with schools re-opening but footfall increased towards the end of the month, perhaps because consumers are increasingly aware that Christmas is on the horizon.
“The Pope’s visit between Thursday 16th and Sunday 19th September to Glasgow, Edinburgh, London and Birmingham had no impact on footfall for these areas. Analysis was undertaken comparing shopping centres in the areas the visits took place and footfall was comparable with visits to other shopping centres in these cities.”
The Retail Park Index has reported a 1.0 per cent decline on the year. The trend has not mirrored the UK National Index, where year-on-year growth was positive, widening the gap between shopping centres and retail parks. The month-on-month footfall fell by 2.4 per cent; although the drop is to be expected for this month of the year. The drop was greater than the UK National Index, suggesting bad weather had a negative impact on retail parks.
