Shopper Numbers 2.6% Higher than Last Year

In February, shopper numbers in Northern Ireland were 2.6% higher than a year ago, up from the 0.4% rise in January 2013. These figures are considerably better than the whole UK where shopper numbers were up 0.8%. Footfall in February was 0.8% higher than a year ago, an improvement on the 4.6% decline in January.

These figures support the recent uplift in retail sales reported by the BRC-KPMG Retail Sales Monitor, where total sales growth reached a three year high. Footfall improved on high streets with a 2.7% increase compared with a year earlier, the strongest growth since December 2011. Footfall in shopping centres (-1.6%) and out-of-town (-1.5%) locations fell; however, this is a significant improvement on January's figures.

Aodhán Connolly, Director of the Northern Ireland Retail Consortium said: "These figures are encouraging for retailers large and small across Northern Ireland. The footfall is the second highest rate after Greater London and compares well against the UK average of 0.8 per cent and the Scottish figures which showed a drop of -2.5 per cent year on year.

"There are signs here that after a very disappointing December and January, shoppers are now starting to gain a renewed confidence. This is partly due to the Back In Belfast campaign which the NIRC is supportive of and which has been a huge success, as well as the weeks of peace that we have had.

"Northern Ireland has a great retail mix with something different to offer in each of our towns and cities. However we must not be complacent with what is happening in the high street. We look forward to working with government at all levels in the coming months to look at issues as diverse as car parking, rates, regeneration and planning."

Source: 4NI.co.uk - Shopper Numbers 2.6% Higher than Last Year

• < Prev
• Next >