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News | Shoppers start early in their quest to take the stress out of Christmas: new figures
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There was a 9.8% increase in UK shoppers visiting non-food stores in November compared with October according to figures released by Ipsos Retail Performance in its Retail Traffic Index.
This represents 0.7% fewer trips than last November, the best year-on-year comparator for 12 months. The RTI shows that shopper numbers across the UK surged in the final week of the month with footfall rising by 4.7% on the previous week and by 3.2% on the same week last year. The strong year-on-year uplift is partially the consequence of heavy flooding last year that prevented people from getting to the shops in some areas of the country.
Dr Tim Denison, director of retail intelligence at Ipsos Retail Performance, said: “The significant rise in shopper numbers in November was unexpected, but very welcome. It’s an early Christmas present for retailers, if this was translated into extra sales, and one that will ease the jitters at this crucial time of the year. Coming on the back of the greater than expected fall in inflation in October, these figures provide further confirmation that headwinds are easing.”
Ipsos said the strong end to the month also suggested some behavioural shifts. “Coming towards the end of a taxing year for consumers, the surge in footfall in late November implies that consumers want to take some of the stress out of Christmas this year, by planning and undertaking some of their shopping early,” said Denison.
The research firm found that retail traffic levels in all regions showed marked improvements on October’s figures to represent the most positive countrywide set of RTI figures of the year. In Northern England, Scotland Northern Ireland, and London the South East, numbers were higher than in November 2012. For the two former regions this represented the first month of year-on-year growth for 12 months.
Footfall change: November 2013 vs November 2012
Scotland Northern Ireland +2.9%
North of England +0.4%
The Midlands -2.2%
South West England Wales -3.6%
London The South East +0.1%
Footfall change: November 2013 vs October 2013
Scotland Northern Ireland +4.6%
North of England +13.9%
The Midlands +11.8%
South West England Wales +8.7%
London The South East +7.0%
Ipsos believes that the momentum in November will result in year-on-year growth being carried forward into December and predicts that the Retail Traffic Index will increase by 0.6% over December 2012.
The firm’s regional forecasts show varying fortunes up and down the country. London the South East, together with the North of England, are predicted to record the best year-on-year comparisons followed by the Midlands.
Forecast footfall change: December 2013 vs December 2012
Scotland Northern Ireland +1.3%
North of England +1.7%
The Midlands -2.9%
South West England Wales -2.3%
London The South East +1.7%
Denison added: “We’re not anticipating a record-breaking Christmas for retailers on the high street, but there is growing evidence that consumers are opening their minds, wallets and purses to shop and spend a little more this year.
“We believe this will translate into both store and on-line traffic and sales. The channels are becoming increasingly interdependent through the likes of click-and-collect, pop-up shops and showrooming, ensuring that retailers are maximising the full value of their ongoing investments.”
The Ipsos Retail Traffic Index is derived from more than one billion visits to retail stores across the UK.
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Tagged as: ipsos retail performance | retail footfall
Article source: http://www.theretailbulletin.com/news/shoppers_start_early_in_their_quest_to_take_the_stress_out_of_christmas_new_figures_29-11-13/