Dublin, 26th October 2010 — Figures released today by Experian®, the global information services company, show that footfall in the Republic of Ireland for the third 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 increased by 0.6 per cent in the same period, which reverses 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 1.9 per cent in July, 2.6 per cent in August, and 0.8 per cent in September. In Northern Ireland, footfall decreased by 3.7 per cent in July, but rose by 0.5 per cent and 3.7 per cent in August and September respectively. The first year on year increase in consumer visits to the high streets and shopping centres in Northern Ireland occurred in August.
John Blood, Head of Sales and Marketing for Experian in Ireland, explained: "The footfall figures for the Republic of Ireland have registered a consistent 2 per cent decrease for the last two quarters when compared to the same period in 2009. The most recent retail sales figures released by the Central Statistics Office show there was an increase in retail sales in August 2010, however the footfall figures for that month were actually down almost 5% on the previous month (July 2010). Footfall decreased again by 4 percent in September 2010. So although August 2010 recorded the first increase in retail sales in more than three months, the overall decreasing footfall registered illustrates that shopping activity continues to be depressed.”
The outlook for Northern Ireland has reversed slightly. Although the footfall figure for the first and second quarters decreased by almost six per cent respectively compared to 2009, the third quarter footfall figures registered an increase of 0.6 per cent. Blood believes this might indicate that the inflated figures registered for Northern Ireland due to increased numbers of southern shoppers last year is starting to level off.
"While the footfall figures this year are consistently down compared to last year, September and October are generally quiet before the inevitable ramp up to the festive season. Traditionally there is a huge rally in the last two weeks of November, followed by a slight fall in the first week in December, and a further rally in numbers right up to Christmas Eve. The final shopping weeks of the year will ultimately decide whether footfall figures for the full year are up or down on the full year of 2009” he concluded.
Please see below tables for monthly and quarterly figures:
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% |
July |
-1.9% |
August |
-2.6% |
September |
-0.8% |
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 |
-1.1% |
July |
-3.7% |
August |
+0.5% |
September |
+3.7% |
Month |
Increase/decrease in Footfall month on month (i.e. compared to the same month in 2009) |
January |
-26.5% |
February |
+0.7% |
March |
-0.3% |
April |
-5.4% |
May |
+3.2% |
June |
+5.3% |
July |
+8.1% |
August |
-4.7% |
September |
-4.2% |
Table 4 Month on Month Comparison – Northern Ireland
Month |
Increase/decrease in Footfall month on month (i.e. compared to the same month in 2009) |
January |
-32.2% |
February |
+16.6% |
March |
-6.8% |
April |
-0.6% |
May |
-2.1% |
June |
+6.3% |
July |
-17.1% |
August |
+11.3% |
September |
-1.1% |
*About Footfall
The Footfall Index is endorsed by the BCSC, the membership organisation that represents the retail property industry, and, as such, is regarded as representative of Irish shopping habits. The Footfall Index is a national benchmark of visitor numbers to shopping centres geographically spread throughout Ireland.
About Experian
Experian is the leading global information services company, providing data and analytical tools to clients in more than 90 countries. The company helps businesses to manage credit risk, prevent fraud, target marketing offers and automate decision making. Experian also helps individuals to check their credit report and credit score, and protect against identity theft.
Experian plc is listed on the London Stock Exchange (EXPN) and is a constituent of the FTSE 100 index. Total revenue for the year ended 31 March 2010 was $3.9 billion. Experian employs approximately 15,000 people in 40 countries and has its corporate headquarters in Dublin, Ireland, with operational headquarters in Nottingham, UK; Costa Mesa, California; and São Paulo, Brazil.
For more information, visit http://www.experianplc.com