High Streets & Town Centres Footfall Report: Week 49 - London Rises, Wales Dips

Huq Industries’ footfall data for the week ending December 7, 2024, reveals nuanced trends in retail centre visitation across the UK, highlighting regional variations in footfall, dwell time, and weekday visitation. The data, encompassing over 2,700 retail centres, shows a mixed bag of results with some regions experiencing slight increases in footfall and others seeing declines. London witnessed a notable increase in average daily footfall compared to the same week last year, while Wales saw a significant decrease.

High Streets & Town Centres Daily Footfall

Footfall Data Analysis

In London, the average daily footfall has increased, showcasing a robust retail environment. Conversely, Wales has experienced a downturn in footfall, which may concern local businesses and stakeholders. The footfall statistics also reveal that dwell times have increased, showing that while fewer people may be visiting some areas, those who do are staying longer.

Dwell Time

Dwell times, indicating the duration visitors spend at these centres, have generally increased across most regions, with the East Midlands and West Midlands showing particularly strong growth year-on-year.

Weekday Visitation

The proportion of visits occurring during working weekdays have also varied, with some regions like the North East seeing a substantial increase in this metric.

Market Outlook

Looking ahead, the direction of the latest footfall data and historical trends suggest that the coming weeks could see continued variability in footfall across regions. London’s retail centres are likely to maintain their upward trajectory, while areas like Wales might struggle to rebound.