New data released by the Northern Ireland Retail Consortium has shown that footfall across the country has increased by 7% in March (YoY – year on year), 5.7 percentage points weaker than February.
The figures from the NIRC-Sensormatic IQ data showed Northern Ireland with better rates than the UK average increase of 6.8% (YoY).
Whilst shopping centre footfall increased by 7.8% (YoY) it was still 5.7 percentage points weaker than February (however, still better than the UK average increase of 6.8% (YoY)).
Footfall in Belfast city increased by by 4.5% (YoY), 8.2 percentage points weaker than February.
And when compared to pre-pandemic 2019 levels the total NI footfall was 10.4% lower, NI Shopping Centres by 10.3% and footfall in Belfast by 12.7%.
Neil Johnston of the Northern Ireland Retail Consortium said: “The 7% increase in shopper footfall compared to this period last year is encouraging and better, for example, than in England, but perhaps also indicative of the challenging situation that consumers find themselves in. This is slower growth compared to February’s figures, and overall shopper foot-traffic remains well down on pre-pandemic levels, indicating there is some way to go before we see sustained recovery.
“Consumers face economic uncertainty about inflation, especially with regard to energy and, therefore, they are being cautious. In addition, in Northern Ireland, despite the progress made with the Windsor Framework we still have no NI Executive.
“This political uncertainty means that there is no means to settle public sector disputes or to make the tough decisions that will be required to sort out the public finances. This is not the kind of backdrop to inspire consumer confidence. The retail industry, the entire economy and indeed the people of Northern Ireland deserve better.
“The retail industry continues to focus on its role – to deliver choice and value to consumers. We hope that in the coming months those in elected office will be able to focus on delivery too. There is much needing to be done – including reform of the business rates system and the regeneration of our high streets. Retailing remains a vibrant sector and with the Easter period, and upcoming bank holidays, retailers will be hoping that April footfall will put a spring in the sector’s step.”
Andy Sumpter, Retail Consultant EMEA for Sensormatic Solutions, added: “Shopper traffic counts in March saw an improvement on last year, which is no small feat given the backdrop of ongoing cost-of-living pressures, stubbornly high inflation and strike disruptions continuing to simmer away. Retail parks remained the outlier, with a slightly more suppressed recovery due to their tenant mix of predominantly furniture, kitchen and bed retail outlets, as shoppers expressed spending caution and held off purchasing big ticket items.
“While the retail footfall recovery slowed marginally last month compared to pre-pandemic levels, we continue to see shopper numbers continue to normalise and the ebbs and flows in performance are becoming less pronounced. We also see, perhaps as a consequence of hybrid working becoming the norm, the significance of the weekend rising, leaving Friday and Monday trailing behind.”