The pandemic is far from over and the rise of a second wave in Europe is forcing the Government to impose a partial lockdown along with stricter guidelines so as to minimise exposure of citizens.
British retail was on its way to getting back on its feet but the tougher Government measures have led to a fall in shopper numbers for the fourth week straight, according to market researcher Springboard.
The research organisation said that total shopper numbers fell 3.1 per cent in the week ended 17 October as compared to footfall in the week before that.
It was down 2.8 per cent on high streets, down 3 per cent in retail parks and down 3.5 per cent in shopping centres.
Additionally, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson last week announced a tiered system of restrictions on parts of England, which started with the shutting of pubs in the worst hit areas to contain the infection rate.
“The additional COVID tiered restrictions had an immediate impact on footfall in retail destinations last week with an across the board week on week decline,” said Springboard director Diane Wehrle.
Northern pockets of England and Yorkshire region noticed a decrease of 5 per cent in footfall signifying the enforcement of tighter restrictions there.
The year-on-year decline of UK shopper numbers worsened to a whopping 32.3 per cent.
Reportedly, the coming months will be tougher as Wales and Manchester, the country’s third largest city, mull additional restrictions, affecting the lives of around 6 million people.
