Sunny Skies Draw Shoppers Outdoors

  • High street footfall increased by 6.5% on Friday, 1.2% on Saturday, and 8.4% by 12pm on Easter Monday due to hot weather.
  • Retail intelligence firm Springboard reports a contrast with the poor weather in 2018 that led to declines in footfall.
  • High streets saw a 19.1% increase in activity on Good Friday and 8.8% on Easter Saturday.
  • Shopping centres experienced a decline of 11% on Good Friday and 11.8% on Easter Saturday.
  • Retail parks also saw a decrease in footfall despite their focus on garden furniture and plants.

High street footfall increased by 6.5% on Friday, 1.2% on Saturday and 8.4% by 12pm on Easter Monday due to the hot weather, according to retail intelligence firm Springboard. This marks a stark contrast to Easter 2018 when poor weather led to declines of 2.4% on Good Friday and 3% on Easter Saturday. High streets saw an increase in activity (compared to shopping centers or retail parks), with footfall rising by 19.1% on Good Friday and 8.8% on Easter Saturday. Springboard’s insights director, Diane Wehrle, commented that consumers preferred being outdoors enjoying the sun rather than visiting covered malls, even in retail parks focused on garden furniture and plants where footfall declined by 2.4% on Good Friday and 1.3% on Easter Saturday.

Factuality Level: 8
Factuality Justification: The article provides accurate information about the increase in high street footfall during the Easter bank holiday weekend due to good weather, compares it with the previous year’s data, and quotes a source (Springboard) for its findings. It also explains the difference in footfall between different types of shopping areas.
Noise Level: 3
Noise Justification: The article provides relevant information about the impact of weather on high street footfall during the Easter bank holiday weekend, comparing it to previous years. It also includes data and insights from a retail intelligence firm. However, it could benefit from more analysis or context beyond just comparing the numbers.
Financial Relevance: Yes
Financial Markets Impacted: Retail sector
Financial Rating Justification: The article discusses changes in footfall for high streets, shopping centers and retail parks over the Easter bank holiday weekend, which can impact sales and revenue for these businesses.
Presence Of Extreme Event: No
Nature Of Extreme Event: Other
Impact Rating Of The Extreme Event: No
Extreme Rating Justification: There is no mention of an extreme event in this article.

Reported publicly: www.retailsector.co.uk