New data on shopper footfall from the Scottish Retail Consortium (SRC) and SensormaticIQ shows that Scotland has suffered a steep decline over the past week.
Scottish footfall fell by a further 9.5% during the past week, with footfall down by a quarter in Scotland last week, compared to the same period two years ago, prior to the pandemic.
Yo2Y |
Scotland |
w/c 28 Nov |
-16% |
w/c 5 Dec |
-15.5% |
w/c 12 Dec |
-25% |
This is the first snapshot of data covering December, demonstrating the impact of the Scottish Government’s announcement the Friday before last, advising people to work from home and avoid festive parties.
Since then, the government has moved further and put working from home into law, called on households to minimise social interaction, and implemented restrictions on businesses including the return of physical distancing in stores.
December is the key trading period for many shops, when these stores need to earn the revenues that tide them over the leaner winter period.
The data shows that Scotland’s shopper footfall has returned to levels last seen shortly after Scotland emerged from lockdown at the end of April.
David Lonsdale, director of the SRC, said: “This new data suggests public health messages about working from home and socialising less, coupled with new restrictions which prevent shops from trading at capacity, are having sharp consequences for stores.
“If this further descent into the doldrums in shopper footfall persists then government must stand ready to support retailers with further financial aid, including revisiting the time-limited and capped rates relief announced in the Scottish Budget.
“As it stands, the rates relief will do little to help many retailers who continue to be battered by the fallout from the pandemic, especially the medium-sized and larger retail chains which underpin the vitality of our city centres and high streets and who employ the majority of retail workers.”
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