Client News > Release

21-07-2010

Experian Q2 Footfall Figures

2nd quarter footfall down almost two per cent compared to 2009 

Figures released today by Experian®, the global information services company, show that footfall in the Republic of Ireland for the second quarter of 2010 has decreased by 1.7 per cent compared to the same period last year. Experian’s analysis also reveals that footfall in Northern Ireland decreased by 6.3 per cent in the same period, which follows the downward trajectory of footfall witnessed in Northern Ireland since the start of the year. 

The Experian National Footfall Index shows that year on year, footfall in the Republic of Ireland fell by 1.8 per cent in April, 1.2 per cent in May, and 2.4 per cent in June. However in Northern Ireland, footfall decreased by 10.5 per cent in April and 7.5 per cent in May. Consumer visits to high streets and shopping centres appeared to level off in June, with a decrease of only 0.04 per cent recorded compared to 2009. 

Paul Slevin, Head of Sales and Marketing for Experian in Ireland, explained: "After a long period of depressed shopping activity, the footfall figures reported for the first six months of the year, whilst still in negative territory, represent an improvement on the trading conditions experienced by retailers last year. In both February and March of this year, we recorded positive footfall values compared to 2009 and this was supported by rising sales volumes as recorded by the Central Statistics Office. Footfall figures for May were up 3.2 per cent compared to April, and similarly June recorded a 5.3 per cent increase compared to the previous month.  

"In Northern Ireland, the footfall figure for the first and second quarters decreased by almost six per cent respectively, which is a significant fall. The Retail Price Index illustrates that prices in the Republic are continuing to fall, so the vast price differentials that existed north and south of the border are dwindling. In addition, the value of sterling is rising against the euro, which means that Southern shoppers get less for their euro north of the border. It is fair to assume that some of those Southern shoppers, who had been visiting Northern Ireland to take advantage of the weaker pound and lower VAT rate, are now looking for better value for money closer to home." 

Please see below tables for monthly and quarterly figures:

 
Table 1 – Year on Year Comparison – Republic of Ireland 
 
Month   Increase/ decrease in 
Footfall year on year 
(i.e. compared to the same
month in 2009)
 
January  -1.6%
 
February  +1.0%
 
March +0.4%
 
April  -1.8%
 
May -1.2%
 
June  -2.4% 
 

 

Table 2 – Year on Year Comparison – Northern Ireland 
 
Month   Increase/ decrease in 
Footfall year on year 
(i.e. compared to the same 
month in 2009)
 
January  -8.3%
 
February  -4.3%
 
March  -4.6%
 
April  -10.5%
 
May -7.5% 
 
June -0.04% 
 

 
Table 3 Month on Month Comparison – Rep of Ireland 

Month   Increase/decrease in 
Footfall month on month
 
January  -26.5%
 
February  +0.7%
 
March  -0.3% 
 
April  -5.4%
 
May  +3.2%
 
June  +5.3%
 

 
Table 4 Month on Month Comparison – Northern Ireland  


Month   Increase/decrease in 
Footfall month on month  
 
January  -32.2%
 
February   16.6%
 
March  -6.8% 
 
April  -0.6% 
 
May  -2.07%
 
June  +7.5%