Riots Impacted Retail Parks Most, High Streets Recover with Summer Sales
- Retail footfall remains stable despite riot disruption
- Warmer weather and summer sales boosted consumer spending
- UK shopper visitors dropped by 0.4% in August
- Retail parks experienced the highest decline at 2.6%
- Shopping centre footfall decreased by 1.8%
- High street visitor numbers fell by 0.3%
- Scotland and Northern Ireland saw slight increase in footfall
- England and Wales experienced a decline of 0.5% and 1.8% respectively
- BRC calls for government intervention to support high streets
The recent riots had a minimal impact on retail footfall as warmer weather and the start of summer sales encouraged consumers to shop. According to the British Retail Consortium (BRC), total UK shopper visitors dropped by 0.4% in August, down from a decline of 3.3% in July. Retail parks were hit hardest with a 2.6% decrease compared to -0.8% in July, while shopping centre footfall fell by 1.8%, down from -3.9%. High street visitor numbers dropped by 0.3%, compared to -2.7% the previous month. Scotland and Northern Ireland saw a slight increase of 0.7% and 1.4%, respectively, while England and Wales experienced declines of 0.5% and 1.8%. BRC chief executive Helen Dickinson stated that during the riots, footfall was significantly affected as people avoided shopping destinations. However, retail parks saw an increase in footfall after the riots, with shoppers returning to high streets and shopping centres once the weather improved and summer sales began. Despite year-on-year changes improving from July, they still remain in negative territory. The BRC urges the government to implement its high streets plan to drive growth.
Factuality Level: 8
Factuality Justification: The article provides accurate and objective information about the impact of riots on UK retail footfall, comparing the numbers for different types of shopping destinations and regions. It also includes a quote from BRC chief executive Helen Dickinson to support its claims.
Noise Level: 3
Noise Justification: The article provides relevant information about the impact of riots on UK footfall and how it recovered towards the end of the month due to warmer weather and summer sales. It also mentions the negative year-on-year changes in footfall. However, it could benefit from more analysis or context on the cost-of-living crisis and its effects on retailers.
Financial Relevance: Yes
Financial Markets Impacted: Retail sector in the UK
Financial Rating Justification: The article discusses changes in footfall and its impact on retail destinations, which can affect retailers’ sales and revenue, making it financially relevant.
Presence Of Extreme Event: No
Nature Of Extreme Event: No
Impact Rating Of The Extreme Event: No
Extreme Rating Justification: No extreme event mentioned in the text.
Image source: Alexey Solodovnikov (Idea, Producer, CG, Editor), Valeria Arkhipova (Scientific Сonsultant) /
Own work. Scientific consultants:
- Nikitin N.A., Doctor of Biological Sciences, Department of Virology, Faculty of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University.
- Borisevich S.S. Candidate of Chemical Sciences, Specialist in Molecular Modeling of Viral Surface Proteins, Senior Researcher, Head of the “Quantum & Dynamics»,Laboratory of Chemical Physics, Ufa Institute of Chemistry RAS
- Arkhipova V.I., specialization in Fundamental and Applied chemistry, senior engineer, RNA Chemistry Laboratory, Institute of chemical biology and fundamental medicine SB RAS
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