Retail footfall to jump 4.7% over Easter weekend

Retail footfall is set to increase by 4.7% over the Easter weekend compared to the same time last year, according to new figures released today by Springboard. 

Easter weekend is two weeks earlier than last year and falls just after a national payday, putting consumers in a strong position to spend their increased disposable incomes.

Springboard said that with consumer confidence growing, due to lower inflation, the decline in fuel prices and pay rises across the country, the difference could leave households with £20 to £30 per month better off.

High streets across the UK are expected to fare the best over the Easter weekend, with Springboard forecasting a 6% year-on-year rise in footfall over the three key shopping days.

Shopping centres are also expected to do well with footfall expected to increase 4.6% year-on-year, while retail parks will see modest growth of 1.6%.

Good friday is set to be the strongest day for footfall with 5.7% year-on-year growth, while saturda

y is expected to see growth of 3.9% on the same time last year. Meanwhile, Monday will see a ‘typical’ bank holiday surge with footfall expected to grow 4.6%.

Diane Wehrle, insights director at Springboard, said: “Last year we saw a significant decline in retail footfall over Easter weekend (down 6.4% year-on-year), and though this year we are expecting to see figures regain strength, they will still be overall below the 6.9% year-on-year growth seen in 2013.

“The earlier dates for the long weekend traditionally link to positive effects for retailers and with consumer confidence high, we expect shoppers to respond with their feet buoyed by the benefit of a recent pay day.”