Consumer footfall in Northern Ireland grew by 2.3% in May 2017 compared to the same period last year, resulting in its fastest growth rate since December, according to the Northern Irish Retail Consortium (NIRC).
The NIRC said that footfall has grown for six of the last 12 months in the region. It added that this month’s figure was above the three-month average of -0.7% and the twelve-month average of -0.5%.
Northern Ireland also posted the fastest growth in high-street footfall of all the nations and regions in the UK. Overall, UK consumer footfall experienced a decline of 1% in May.
Uplift In Footfall
Aodhán Connolly, director of NIRC, said, “This uplift in footfall is especially welcome following a few volatile months and because we have had the fastest growth on the high street of all the ten nations and regions across the UK.
“But what our industry and the hard pressed consumer here needs now more than ever is certainty. With Brexit looming large, no devolved budget and decisions on the future of the outdated and inequitable business rates system on hold, we need certainty to allow our industry to continue to grow, invest and provide great value to the shoppers of Northern Ireland.”
Diane Wehrle, marketing and insights director of Springboard added, “Whilst customer volumes continued to increase in Northern Ireland during May, the restraint being shown by shoppers across the UK is starting to show here too, with a slowing of growth in Northern Ireland’s high street footfall post 5pm to +3.9% in May from +8.4% in May 2016.
“This suggests fewer shoppers opted to stay longer and eat out after their shopping trips; a concern for retail locations that have focussed on expanding their food offer to grow shopper dwell time.”
© 2017 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Aidan O’Sullivan. Click subscribe to sign up to ESM: The European Supermarket Magazine.
