Ipsos Retail Performance, which compiles the Retail Traffic Index, is predicting that shopper numbers in non-food stores in December will reach 44.3% of the levels set in 2019.
If proven to be the case, the deficit on last year would be worse than the improving picture the retail industry saw prior to the second national lockdown. With the majority of northern England under Tier 3 restrictions and non-essential stores remaining closed in Scotland and Northern Ireland, local lockdowns continue to impact shopper numbers.
Dr Tim Denison, director of retail intelligence at Ipsos Retail Performance, commented: “Footfall levels will clearly be hampered by the restricted number of shoppers that can be in-store at any one time, safeguarding social distancing, though some retailers will plan to stay open for longer in order to alleviate the problem.
“Anxiety that shopping destinations could be crowded will also drive more business online and click & collect will be the chosen path-to-purchase for many, safe in the knowledge that they won’t be at the mercy of deliveries failing to arrive in time for Christmas.
“The message to everyone is ‘get your shopping done early’ so that you can relax and be kind to yourself. This year has been hard enough for everyone, why make Christmas any harder on yourselves than you need to?”
The forecast assumes that the restrictions for the rest of the month will remain similar to the current state of affairs, with reviews of the tier system expected on 16 December.
