Local Retail Centres, Week 42: Footfall Rises in Northern Ireland

Retail footfall and dwell time trends across the UK have shown varied patterns over the last week, according to data from Huq Industries. The data, which covers over 2,700 retail centres, highlights significant regional differences in consumer behaviour and retail performance.

Local Retail Centres Daily Footfall

In Northern Ireland, the average daily footfall has seen a notable increase compared to the same period last year. This contrasts with regions like the South West, where there has been a sizeable decrease in footfall year on year. Meanwhile, dwell times have generally increased across most regions, with the South East and North West experiencing the most substantial rises in average visit duration.

The footfall data also reveals changes in the share of visitation during working weekdays. Northern Ireland and Yorkshire and the Humber have seen decreases in this metric, indicating a shift in consumer visit patterns.

These trends provide valuable insights for retailers and commercial real-estate companies looking to understand and adapt to changing consumer behaviours in different regions of the UK.

Market Outlook

Based on the direction of the latest footfall data and trends from the same period last year, it is likely that the coming four weeks will see continued variability in footfall across different regions. Retail centres in areas like Northern Ireland may continue to experience an increase in footfall, while regions with a current decline may face further challenges.