Footfall rises during Scotland’s appearance at tournament
FOOTFALL in Scotland rose by 1.7% in June year on year, according to the latest data from the Scottish Retail Consortium (SRC), which reckoned the national team’s appearance at the Fifa World Cup was the major contributing factor.
The figure, covering the period between 31 May and 5 July, was a marked rise from the 0.4% rise in May. And while footfall remained unchanged year on year at 0% in Edinburgh, it jumped a massive 6.1% in Glasgow.
SRC director David Lonsdale said: “Shopper foot-traffic increased for a second consecutive month in June, with Scotland the only nation or region of the UK to record growth during the period. That’s encouraging coming against a backdrop of subdued consumer confidence and elevated petrol pump prices following the Iran conflict.
“This positive trend was particularly strong in the lead-up to Scotland’s first and second World Cup matches, likely reflecting increased spending on food, drink and related merchandise. Glasgow emerged as the highest-performing city in the UK, supported in part by the further gradual reopening of pedestrian areas in the city centre following the Union Corner fire in March.”
The Comonwealth Games are coming to Glasgow soon – running between 23 July and 2 August – and Lonsdale reckons retailers in the city will be hoping the imminent start of the Games will provide a further boost to footfall and consumer spending.
And commenting on developments at Westminster, the SRC director added: “Retailers will also be looking to the likely incoming Prime Minister Andy Burnham to begin to make good on his pledge of a high street ‘renaissance’. Our retail destinations can be a springboard to help the wider economy bounce back. However, to achieve this, they need to become more cost-effective and desirable locations for retailers of all sizes to invest in.”
