High Streets See 20.2% Increase in Shoppers
- Post-Christmas footfall increases year-on-year
- High streets see a 20.2% surge in shoppers
- Retail parks experience a 6% increase compared to pre-pandemic levels
- Shopping centres enjoy a 12.7% rise in footfall
- Boxing Day sales attract consumers for bargains and groceries
Post-Christmas footfall has risen as shoppers flock to stores for the Boxing Day sales, with high streets experiencing a significant 20.2% surge in visitors compared to last year. Retail parks also saw a 6% increase compared to pre-pandemic levels, while shopping centres enjoyed a 12.7% rise. This comes after a 7.6% drop on Boxing Day itself for some retailers like John Lewis and M&S. MRI Software’s Jenni Matthews attributes the change in shopper habits to investments made in retail parks, making them more of an all-encompassing hub for shopping and leisure. As consumers restock groceries and hunt for bargains, footfall is expected to continue rising leading up to New Year’s celebrations.
Factuality Level: 8
Factuality Justification: The article provides accurate and objective information about the increase in footfall for post-Christmas shopping, citing data from MRI Software as a source. It also includes relevant quotes from an expert on retail trends. However, it contains some minor repetition and slight sensationalism with phrases like ‘flocked to the stores’ and ‘hunt for Boxing Day bargains.’ Overall, the article is factual but could be improved by removing these minor issues.
Noise Level: 3
Noise Justification: The article provides relevant information about post-Christmas footfall and Boxing Day sales in the UK retail sector, with some insights into consumer behavior and the impact of COVID-19 on shopping habits. However, it lacks a deeper analysis or exploration of long-term trends and does not offer significant actionable insights for readers.
Financial Relevance: Yes
Financial Markets Impacted: No
Financial Rating Justification: The article discusses post-Christmas footfall and retail sales, which can impact companies’ revenue and financial performance. However, there is no direct mention of specific financial markets being affected.
Presence Of Extreme Event: No
Nature Of Extreme Event: No
Impact Rating Of The Extreme Event: No
Extreme Rating Justification: There is no mention of an extreme event in the text.