Following a modest rise in footfall last week, retail expert Springboard predicts the Platinum Jubilee and school half term holiday will cause footfall in retail destinations to surge by as much as +8% over the Bank Holiday weekend. Springboard anticipates an uplift of as much as +10% in high streets, +7% in shopping centres and +4% in retail parks.
“With just a modest rise in footfall last week, we are anticipating a boost this week generated by the Platinum Jubilee Bank Holiday combined with the school half term break”
Diane Wehrle, insights director at Springboard
The weather over the Bank Holiday is forecast to be sunny but not hugely hot on Thursday and Friday, followed by showery weather over the weekend, which generally boosts shopping outings as day trips to beaches and leisure attractions hold less appeal.
Diane Wehrle, insights director at Springboard, commented: “With just a modest rise in footfall last week, we are anticipating a boost this week generated by the Platinum Jubilee Bank Holiday combined with the school half term break. This is likely to be supported by weather that is forecast to be sunny on Thursday and Friday but not hugely hot, followed by cooler weather with occasional rain over the weekend, making visits to coastal towns and leisure venues on these days less appealing for many, and increasing the appeal of retail destinations.
“Looking at last week, which was the week leading up to both payday and the school half term break, there was a modest rise in footfall across UK retail destinations from the week before. Footfall rose to an equal degree across all three key destination types, although the results varied from day to day across the week, with footfall impacted mid-week by rain – particularly in high streets. The best performing day was Friday, buoyed by warm sunny weather.”
Springboard records more than 159 million footfall counts per week at 3,600 counting points in 1,300 shopping locations in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.