SCOTTISH footfall was well above expectations as non-essential stores reopened their doors after a four-month lockdown, according to the latest figures from Ipsos.
Shopper numbers were down just -6.2% in the first week after reopening on 26 April, compared to the same period in 2019.
By contrast, store footfall was down -28.9% during the first week of trading in England and Wales (from 12 April), compared to 2019.
Scottish shoppers were eager to return to stores, with the first day of trading seeing footfall rise 21.8% compared to 2019 levels. Tuesday and Wednesday also saw uplifts in shopper numbers.
Dr Tim Denison, head of analytics and insights at Ipsos, said:
“It’s very clear that consumers are celebrating their return to the shops following their closure from Boxing Day. Their love of shopping and its sociable nature are elements dear to the heart of Scots, so it is uplifting, if not totally surprising, that the early footfall data are so encouraging.”
