Over the weekend, Storm Isha wreaked havoc across the UK, not only causing travel disruptions but also taking a toll on retail. Footfall in all types of shopping destinations plummeted by 4.6% compared to the previous week, and a more significant drop of 5.1% compared to the same period in 2023.
High streets were hit the hardest with a sharp decline of 6.4% week-on-week and a substantial 14% year-on-year drop. In contrast, retail parks and shopping centers experienced milder decreases at 2.4% and 4.7%, respectively, likely due to their accessibility by car or their enclosed nature offering some protection from the storm.
The impact was particularly severe in Scotland and northern parts of England, where major travel disruptions led to an 18.2% drop in footfall on Monday compared to the previous week. The South West also felt the brunt, witnessing a 5.9% decline week on week and an 8% drop year on year.
Central London bore the weight of the storm on Sunday, experiencing a significant 20.8% year-on-year decrease in footfall. However, as Monday unfolded, there was a noticeable recovery in footfall, indicating that travel disruptions in Southern parts of England were temporary, with many commuters likely delaying their journeys into the city.
