UK footfall for the Jubilee week leapt 17.1%, data from the British Retail Consortium shows.
The BRC-Sensormatic IQ findings, which were compared against the average footfall throughout May 2022, also saw a 6.9% rise in the number of people taking to the streets for the Jubilee weekend.
Thursday was the best performing day – recording a 45.6% improvement in footfall - followed by Wednesday at 44.4%, the insight suggested.
High streets saw the strongest performance at 3.1% growth and, in London, footfall improved by 4.4% over the Jubilee weekend and 9.3% for the entire week, on the previous month’s average.
“Retailers experienced a ‘Jubilee Jump’ in footfall, as the celebrations prompted shopper traffic on the High Steet to rise,” Andy Sumpter, retail consultant EMEA for Sensormatic Solutions, said.
“Whether it was people stocking up on supplies for the bank holiday weekend, attending street parties or using the extra public holidays to socialise with friends and family, the retail benefited from welcome ambient footfall from the celebrations.”
Helen Dickinson OBE, the British Retail Consortium’s chief executive, added: “We hope that the momentum can continue despite the ongoing economic turbulence.”
The findings come as the latest research from Barclaycard suggests the cost-of-living squeeze is leading Brits to rein in their spending on eating and drinking out.
Restaurants saw a -5.9% decline in spending in May 2022, while bars, pubs and clubs saw a -1.2% drop, compared to April 2022 figures.
“The cost of living squeeze is clearly influencing discretionary spending habits, with figures showing a decline in subscriptions, and a drop in spending at restaurants, bars, pubs and clubs,” José Carvalho, head of consumer products at Barclaycard, said. “Despite this, there are some encouraging signs, particularly in the travel industry, as Brits’ appetite for going abroad continues to grow as we approach the summer holidays.”
