Attendance at UK shopping centres, retail parks and high streets was down 2.2% last month compared with the same period in 2023 - led by a 3.3% decline at shopping centres - according to data from the British Retail Consortium (BRC) and analysts at Sensormatic.
While footfall is no longer a clear guide to likely sales because of the rise of online shopping, which means less need for browsing in person, the figures will add to anxieties about how retailers performed in the run-up to Christmas.
A series of industry trading statements revealing how the crucial period went are due to be released from this coming Tuesday, including figures from the clothing and homewares chain Next, which is expected to have gained market share.
The listed grocers Sainsbury's, Tesco and Marks & Spencer are also likely to have done well, but some clothing and footwear specialists are expected to have struggled, with Quiz and Shoe Zone both issuing profit warnings before Christmas.
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der January 03, 2025-Ausgabe von The Guardian.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent ? Anmelden
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der January 03, 2025-Ausgabe von The Guardian.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent? Anmelden
RuPaul Pays Tribute to 'Lovely Human' After Death of Drag Artist
The ex-husband of the drag artist known as The Vivienne has said his \"heart is shattered\" after the death of the RuPaul's Drag Race star, as the hit TV show's host described them as \"a lovely human being\".
Rural blackspots to get fast broadband in £289m scheme
The last corners of England and Wales yet to be covered by a £5bn push to widen fast broadband could finally get access to rapid downloads, streaming and video calls after the government announced £289m in new taxpayer-funded contracts.
Labour scraps plan for 2035 ban on gas boilers under new housebuilding code
The government is to scrap the 2035 ban on gas boilers in its new housebuilding standards.
Sugary drinks cause millions to develop diabetes
Sugary drinks are responsible for more than 2m new cases of diabetes and 1m cases of heart disease globally each year, research has found.
New year but few thrills from PM, as Kemi Kaze climbs in Tesla with king of Great Twittain
Don't you just hate this time of year? The promise of Christmas giving way to the bleak reality of January. Cold mornings fading to grey by mid-afternoon. Nothing to look forward to except filling in your tax return. Hunkering down and praying to wake up some time in April.
Jess Phillips Survivors of gendered violence defend minister
A group of victims of gendered violence has criticised Elon Musk for his attack on Jess Phillips, saying the safeguarding minister had \"devoted her life to fighting for women and girls\".
Bromance on the rocks With their love-in over, where does tycoon's brush-off leave Farage?
It was the morning after the rather disappointing day before. \"At the moment, I am just letting things lie,\" Nigel Farage told the Guardian with a dry chuckle on being asked whether he might attempt a rapprochement with the world's richest man.
Boss of Bet365 Takes a 45% Pay Cut - But Still Gives Herself £150m
Britain's highest-paid woman, the Bet365 billionaire Denise Coates, has given herself a 45% pay cut but still claimed £150m in salary and dividends last year as profits at the online gambling company soared.
Prison officer sentenced to 15 months after having sex with inmate
A prison officer was sentenced yesterday to 15 months after having sex with an inmate at a London jail.
Siddiq refers herself to ethics adviser over property claims
A senior Treasury minister has referred herself to the ministerial standards watchdog after days of allegations that she has lived in multiple properties tied to the ousted Bangladeshi government.
