UK Storm Isha : High streets faced a significant setback, experiencing a sharp decline of -6.4% week-on-week and a substantial -14% year-on-year. In contrast, retail parks and shopping centers saw comparatively milder decreases of 2.4% and 4.7%, respectively. The resilience of these locations could be attributed to their accessibility by car or enclosed nature.
Regional Variances in Impact
The storm’s influence was most pronounced in Scotland and northern parts of England, resulting in major travel disruptions. Footfall on the Monday plummeted by 18.2% compared to the previous week in these areas. Following closely was the South West, witnessing a week-on-week decline of 5.9% and a year-on-year drop of 8%.
Central London’s Fluctuating Footfall
Central London experienced a notable dip in footfall on Sunday, down by 20.8% year-on-year. However, as Monday progressed, the situation improved. The Central London ‘Back to Office’ benchmark, initially witnessing a 6.2% week-on-week drop until midday, rebounded to +1.2% for the full day. Jenni Matthews, Head of Marketing and Insights at MRI Software, suggested that the travel disruptions in Southern parts of England were likely temporary, with many commuters delaying their journeys into the city.