Footfall figures put Scotland high streets ahead

SCOTLAND’S high streets and shopping centres enjoyed better visitor numbers than their counterparts south of the Border in February as footfall figures returned to positive territory.

By DOMINIC JEFF

Published 13th Mar 2015, 00:00 BST

Scottish high street footfalls were higher than the same numbers for the previous February. Picture: Stuart Cobley

The Scottish Retail Consortium (SRC) and Springboard said February footfall was 1.2 per cent higher than a year ago, following a decline of 3 per cent in January.

It compares to a year-on-year drop in visitor numbers of 0.5 per cent in shopping areas across the UK last month, an improvement on the 1.2 per cent fall in January.

SRC director David Lonsdale said: “The resumption of growth in shopper footfall last month is good news. Indeed, shopper footfall has risen in Scotland every month bar one since last summer, while across the UK as a whole the figures are less rosy.

“The challenge as ever for retailers is to try and convert that growth in shoppers into an improved performance at the tills. This requires a keen blend of customer service, price and attractive and welcoming outlets and shopping destinations.”

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