Footfall in December reached its highest level since the pandemic as shoppers headed to stores in search of Christmas gifts.
Figures from the British Retail Consortium showed that overall footfall during December was up 15.1% from the same month in 2021.
However, the gains are likely to be wiped out this month as shoppers make cutbacks and stay at home, according to retail analyst Springboard. It has predicted the UK will experience a record drop in footfall in January as strikes and the cost of living crisis prevent consumers from visiting shops.
Total footfall figures in 2022 remained down on pre-pandemic levels, with annual shopper numbers 11.8% lower than 2019. Yet this was an improvement from 2021, when footfall was 33.2% below pre-pandemic levels.
Footfall in London was 12.3% lower during 2022 compared with 2019.
