THE LATEST footfall figures for Irish businesses shows that footfall increased marginally in the third quarter of 2011, but remains largely flat overall and is not contributing to higher sales figures.
Data compiled by Experian shows that footfall increased 0.1 per cent in Q3 2011 compared with the same period of last year, following a 0.2 per cent increase in footfall in Q2 2011.
Experian Ireland’s head of sales Mark Anderson said that the latest increase in footfall is down to the bad weather in August, as people sought shelter from the elements in shopping centres.
They may have been sheltering, but they weren’t shopping more than usual, according to Anderson.
“Despite the positive trend in footfall, retailers are still experiencing sustained pressure as the increase is failing to translate into sales. Recent CSO figures show a 3.6 per cent fall in sales for August 2011 year-on-year,” he said.
A consumer sentiment report from KBC Bank Ireland and the ESRI last month showed that the uncertain economic climate and further anticipated cuts in Budget 2012 contributed to a drop in consumer confidence in September.
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