LONDON (UK) – Market researcher Springboard said on Monday that total shopper numbers across British retail destinations plunged to 57.7% in the week to Nov. 14 year-on-year.
Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland enforced new COVID-19 health restrictions last month.
People have also been encouraged to work from home if possible after lockdown was implemented.
Springboard said shopper numbers, or footfall, was 64.7% lower year-on-year in UK high streets and 65.7% lower in shopping centres but down 34.3% in retail parks.
However, it was noted that footfall was more strong than it was in the first week of England’s first lockdown in March. It plunged by 75.1% across all UK retail destinations.
Springboard director Diane Wehrle said, “The fact that footfall is more resilient may well be a function of the proximity of Christmas, and the concern of shoppers to buy well in advance this year to avoid queues, facilitated by the wide range of non-food products offered in stores selling essential goods.”
The researcher said that following the end of a two week lockdown in Wales, footfall in its retail destinations rose by 135.9% last week from the week before.