Retail footfall slumps by 9% in March

The Northern Ireland Retail Consortium (NIRC) said it hoped that good weather and the Easter holidays could bring a bounce to performance.

And the fact that Easter fell in March last year had also played a role in the decline, the NIRC said – though Mother’s Day had delivered a boost.

There as a drop of 9.6% in footfall in NI shopping centres, with a decline of 9% when high street performance was also taken into account.

The 9% decline was the second-worst performance out of 13 UK regions, the NIRC said.

Footfall also declined across 11 UK cities, with Belfast suffering a 10.4% drop – the third-worst of all 11.

Neil Johnston, the director of the NIRC, said footfall figures in NI had been “volatile” over the last few months.

“We think this reflects low consumer confidence due to economic uncertainty. Shopkeepers in Northern Ireland will be hoping that the continuing good weather and the Easter period will bring out the shoppers over the next few weeks.

“The decrease in footfall figures across the country in March compared to last year is undoubtedly partly due to the fact Easter was much earlier last year. We hope that the figures will improve in April.

“That doesn’t explain, however, why the Northern Ireland figures were amongst the worst in the UK.

“This does, however, once again highlight the challenging circumstances that the retail industry are facing.

“Footfall is disappointing and yet retailers, and indeed all businesses, are facing higher costs from rises in wage costs, business rates, and national insurance policies from the start of April.

“The Northern Ireland Retail Consortium would reiterate our call for the NI Executive to outline a plan to decrease business rates for the retail, hospitality and leisure sector.”

Andy Sumpter, retail consultant EMEA for Sensormatic Solutions, which helps compile the data, said: “After a bumpy few months, March made for disappointing footfall as shopper and business confidence remains subdued, not helped by ongoing economic uncertainty and pre-Spring Statement jitters.

“With Easter this year landing in April, some of the downturn in store visits in March could have been from consumers withholding Easter spend.

“Retailers will now be hoping that strong Easter trading can help balance out a slow start to Spring.

“It’s worth noting, however, that there were some brighter moments for shopper counts in March – although, sadly, not enough of them to have had a material impact on the overall figures.

“Mother’s Day in particular delivered a standout performance, driving a +13.4% uplift in high street footfall compared to last year.”

Businesses have been facing the combined impact of a rise in the National Living Wage to £12.21 an hour, and an increase in employer national Insurance contributions.

National insurance has now reached a rate of 15%, up from the previous 13.8%.