New figures have shown that footfall declined by 18.8% in January 2023 from December 2022, compared to a rise of 5.8% from November to December.
According to retail specialist Springboard, there was also a widening in the gap in footfall compared to 2019 from -10.9% in December to -12.3% in January.
However, the number of visits to high streets on weekdays was 17.2% up in the month compared to January last year, although growth was lower at 10.3% at the weekend. Springboard suggested this was due to more employers tempting workers back to the office in 2023.
Across all UK destinations, footfall was up 10.7% compared to the same month last year. Meanwhile footfall in shopping centres and retail parks rose by 10.3% and 1.5% respectively.
