Britain hit by 80.1% fall in shopping

THE number of visits Britons made to shops plunged by a massive 80.1% last month amid strict lockdown rules.

The largest drop in footfall was almost double the previous record of 41.3% in March.

It came as Britain spent its first full month in lockdown, with only essential stores remaining open and shoppers advised to make as few trips as possible.

But analysts detected an uptick in shopping trips at the end of last month as DIY and home stores began reopening.

Shopping centres were the worsthit last month, with an 84.8% fall in visitors, according to retail data experts Springboard.

High streets, which were already under pressure from online shopping and sky-high business rates, saw an 83.3% drop. But the presence of big supermarkets and other essential stores meant retail parks fared better, with customer numbers down 68.1%.

Springboard’s Diane Wehrle, said the overriding focus on safe shopping could boost smaller high streets as shoppers shun trips to bigger towns and cities.

Wehrle said: “What has become clear, but is not obvious from the headline rate, is the shift in consumer behaviour from large towns and cities to smaller local centres.”

The path of recovery for retail may be led by smaller high streets which can offer both safety and community benefits.

All non-essential stores were instructed to close when lockdown was introduced on March 23.

Big-name High Street firms including Laura Ashley, Cath Kidston, Debenhams and Warehouse have called in administrators. Garden centres will be allowed to reopen this week. Other retailers will follow under social distancing rules.