15/09/2014
NI's Shopper Numbers Increase
A new report has found that the number of people visiting shops in Northern Ireland increased by 4.2% in August.
The latest figures from the Northern Ireland Retail Consortium (NIRC) said it was an improvement on the 5.2% fall recorded in July.
The surge in footfall, which is the number of people visiting shops, was also higher than the UK average. The report added that shopper numbers in Northern Ireland are now 4.2% higher than a year ago.
Aodhán Connolly, Northern Ireland Retail Consortium, said: "We are delighted to see that footfall figures in Northern Ireland are again on the rise again after a dip in July.
"This means that not only have we had a rise in footfall year on year for five of the past six months, but Northern Ireland has had the highest regional or country footfall figures in the UK for the fourth month this year.
"In fact, in August our figures were 5.3% higher than the UK national average."
He added: "This is a positive trend for Northern Ireland, but there is still much work to be done, our vacancy rate is still 5% higher than the national average although it continues to fall; and we must remember that increased footfall does not directly correlate to increased sales.
"What is clear is that increased consumer confidence, falling unemployment and economists saying that although the recovery in Northern Ireland has slowed, it remains on track, means that there is reason for some reserved optimism on the high street."
(JP/MH)
The latest figures from the Northern Ireland Retail Consortium (NIRC) said it was an improvement on the 5.2% fall recorded in July.
The surge in footfall, which is the number of people visiting shops, was also higher than the UK average. The report added that shopper numbers in Northern Ireland are now 4.2% higher than a year ago.
Aodhán Connolly, Northern Ireland Retail Consortium, said: "We are delighted to see that footfall figures in Northern Ireland are again on the rise again after a dip in July.
"This means that not only have we had a rise in footfall year on year for five of the past six months, but Northern Ireland has had the highest regional or country footfall figures in the UK for the fourth month this year.
"In fact, in August our figures were 5.3% higher than the UK national average."
He added: "This is a positive trend for Northern Ireland, but there is still much work to be done, our vacancy rate is still 5% higher than the national average although it continues to fall; and we must remember that increased footfall does not directly correlate to increased sales.
"What is clear is that increased consumer confidence, falling unemployment and economists saying that although the recovery in Northern Ireland has slowed, it remains on track, means that there is reason for some reserved optimism on the high street."
(JP/MH)
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