NEW RESEARCH has shown Coventry shoppers have helped the city achieve one of the most impressive ‘retail bounce backs’ in the country.
The latest figures from the Ipsos Retail Recovery Index show footfall is now only 13.7 per cent lower than the pre-pandemic level in 2019 – putting it the third best in the UK.
The average footfall – between July 26 and October 24 – was 25 per cent.
Only two areas bettered Coventry’s achievements at bringing shoppers back – Harrow (12.8 per cent down) and Harrogate (9. 8 per cent).
Oliver Hillier, Ipsos senior retail analyst, said: “After a challenging period of lockdown, it’s encouraging to see shoppers are keen to return to the high streets.
“Over the festive period we expect to see this situation improve with leisure and hospitality venues opening with no Covid-19 restrictions for the first time since 2019.”
He added the RRI painted a positive picture for most locations during the ‘golden quarter’ as research suggested many shoppers would continue to visit stores close to their homes in smaller cities and large towns, rather than the major ones of London, Birmingham and Manchester.
Visit ipsos-retailperformance.com for more on the study.
