Amidst all the uncertainties that have been hovering around Black Friday over the last few months, several retail destinations in the UK saw a footfall rise of 4.8 per cent in the Black Friday week ended 28 November.

The previous week that ended 21 November also saw a significant rise of 5.9 per cent. That means the footfall has been on rise for 2 successive weeks – best since August 2020.

What makes the numbers noteworthy is that despite all lockdown restrictions, shoppers showed their willingness to come out and buy apparels, accessories and every product they wanted.

Compared to the previous week, the Black Friday week saw a footfall rise of 6.6 per cent in high streets across the UK.

In the retail parks, the increase in the number of visitors during the week was 4.9 per cent, while it was 1 per cent across the shopping centres.

Though compared to the same period in 2019, the fall has been 56.9 per cent, yet two good weeks till Black Friday are enough reasons for retailers to cheer about.

The yearly fall, however, hasn’t been that bad in Wales and Northern Ireland, where most of the shops were open.

In England too, footfall was, reportedly, high both in high streets and shopping centres. The lockdown ends in England tomorrow (2 December) and with the Government now announcing that shops will be open 24X7 in the run-up to Christmas, there could be some better times for retailers.