Latest BRC-Sensormatic data shows there was a significant increase in UK retail footfall last month, although figures were distorted by the late Easter this year.
Total footfall during April increased by 7.2%, up from -5.4% in March, with the Spring sunshine also encouraging consumers to head out to their local shopping destinations.
High Street footfall rose by 5.3%, retail parks were up 7.5%, and shopping centres increased by 5.6%.
However, combined results for March and April to negate the distortion from Easter show footfall edged up only 0.2% during the period, led by retail parks where it grew 2.7%. Footfall on high streets and shopping centres grew by only 0.2% and 0.7% respectively.
“Adjusting for the late fall of Easter this year, footfall across March and April showed a small but positive trend, with retail parks continuing to perform the strongest out of all locations,” said Helen Dickinson, Chief Executive of the British Retail Consortium (BRC).
“This reflected the unseasonally warm and bright weather right across the UK. In England, the North East saw particularly strong growth in footfall, with Manchester and Liverpool both recording double-digit improvements in footfall. Retailers will be hoping this momentum continues into the summer months.”
