Eat Out to Help Out Scheme Boosts Shopping Centres

  • UK retail footfall increased by 6% in the last week of August
  • Eat Out to Help Out scheme contributed to the improvement
  • Shopping centres had the highest footfall
  • Footfall still 25.6% lower than pre-lockdown levels
  • High streets’ recovery hampered by large cities
  • Bank Holiday weekend successful for retail destinations

UK retail footfall increased by 6% in the last week of August, according to Springboard’s latest figures. The Eat Out to Help Out scheme played a significant role in this improvement, with shopping centres recording the highest footfall of all destination types. Cooler weather encouraged shoppers indoors, leading to a 9.1% rise from the previous week. High streets also saw a 4.8% increase, but large cities’ lower activity hindered their recovery. Diane Wehrle, insights director at Springboard, called it ‘a remarkable success for retail destinations’.

Factuality Level: 9
Factuality Justification: The article provides accurate information from Springboard’s data on footfall changes across different types of UK retail destinations and includes relevant quotes from Diane Wehrle, the insights director at Springboard. It presents objective information without any clear signs of sensationalism or personal opinion.
Noise Level: 3
Noise Justification: The article provides relevant information about footfall trends in UK retail destinations during the week ended 29 August and highlights the impact of the Eat Out to Help Out scheme on footfall. It also mentions the influence of weather on shopper behavior. However, it could benefit from more analysis or context on the long-term implications of these trends and potential future developments in the retail industry.
Financial Relevance: Yes
Financial Markets Impacted: UK retail sector
Financial Rating Justification: The article discusses changes in footfall across UK retail destinations, which can impact the performance of retail companies and potentially affect their financial results.
Presence Of Extreme Event: No
Nature Of Extreme Event: Other
Impact Rating Of The Extreme Event: Minor
Extreme Rating Justification: There is no extreme event mentioned in the article, but it discusses the recovery of retail destinations after the Eat Out to Help Out scheme and the impact of cooler weather on footfall.

Reported publicly: www.retailsector.co.uk