‘Jubilee jump’ in UK high street shoppers

The Jubilee Bank Holiday has given high streets across the UK a much-needed boost as customer footfall surges, according to new figures.

Data from BRC-Sensormatic IQ revealed total UK footfall was up 6.9% over the long weekend, compared to the May 2022 average.

At the same time, total attendance for the week as a whole rose 17.1% as commercial hotspots benefited from the school holidays.

It came despite increased pressure on consumer spending as inflation continues to soar, with significant increases in household bills.

Helen Dickinson, chief executive of the British Retail Consortium, said: “The public took to the streets for the Jubilee celebrations, with footfall in stores enjoying significant improvements over the early parts of the long weekend.

“More people went to the shops, many looking for Jubilee decorations, garden accessories and new outfits.

“Thursday saw the best attendance as the public prepared for a weekend of celebrations, from street parties to festivals.

“It was great to see so many people celebrating and shopping in their favorite local destinations – a welcome boost for retail businesses that depend on store performance, especially on the high street.”

High streets performed particularly strongly, with data showing footfall up 3.1% from the May average.

Thursday footfall was up 45.6% from average, while the number of customers also rose 44.4% on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, attendance fell below average levels on Saturday and Sunday.

Andy Sumpter, retail consultant at Sensormatic Solutions, said: “Retailers experienced a ‘jubilee jump’ in footfall as the celebrations brought increased traffic from shoppers to the high street.

“Whether it’s stocking up on supplies for the holiday weekend, attending street parties, or using the extra holidays to socialize with friends and family, retail has benefited from a welcome ambient attendance of the celebrations.”