Retailers see big fall in shopper numbers

WALES has recorded the biggest fall in retail footfall in the UK, with Cardiff also suffering the sharpest year-on-year dip of any major city.

- SION BARRY

Figures from the Welsh Retail Consortium show the number of shoppers in August entering high-street stores, shopping centres and retail parks was down 2.6% on the previous year - the joint-steepest drop with southeast England.

By comparison, England fell 0.2%, Scotland 0.4% and Northern Ireland 1.7%. London bucked the trend with a 2.5% rise.

The decline in Wales accelerated from July's 0.4% fall. Shopping centre visits were down 3.7% year on year, while retail parks dropped 2.7%.

Of the 11 core cities assessed, Cardiff saw the largest fall at 4.1%, compared with a dip of 0.3% in July. Bristol recorded the second-steepest decline, down 3.8%, followed by Glasgow at 1.9%.