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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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In February, shopper numbers in Northern Ireland were 2.6% higher than a year ago, up from the 0.4% rise in January 2013. These figures are considerably better than the whole UK where shopper numbers were up 0.8%. Footfall in February was 0.8% higher than a year ago, an improvement on the 4.6% decline in January.
15 July 2013
Drop In NI Shopper Numbers
In June, shopper numbers in Northern Ireland were 5.9% lower than a year ago, down from a 3.1% decline in May 2013, according to the Northern Ireland Retail Consortium (NIRC). The figures are considerably worse than the whole UK where shopper numbers were up 0.1%. In the UK footfall in June was 0.1% higher than a year ago, up from a 0.
Drop In NI Shopper Numbers
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14 January 2014
Christmas Shopper Numbers Fall
Christmas shopper numbers in Northern Ireland in 2013 were 8.7% lower than the previous year, according to figures released by the Northern Ireland Retail Consortium (NIRC). For the whole of the UK, footfall in December was 2.4% lower than in 2012, up on the 2.9% fall in November and marginally above the three-month average of -2.7%.
Christmas Shopper Numbers Fall
Christmas shopper numbers in Northern Ireland in 2013 were 8.7% lower than the previous year, according to figures released by the Northern Ireland Retail Consortium (NIRC). For the whole of the UK, footfall in December was 2.4% lower than in 2012, up on the 2.9% fall in November and marginally above the three-month average of -2.7%.
16 December 2013
Shopper Numbers Drop Over 6%
November 2013 saw shopper numbers in Northern Ireland fall 6.3% compared to a year ago, according to new statistics released by the Northern Ireland retail Consortium (NIRC). Footfall was up on the 9.8% decline in October 2013, but Northern Ireland's figures are still lower than the whole of the UK, where shopper numbers were down 2.9%.
Shopper Numbers Drop Over 6%
November 2013 saw shopper numbers in Northern Ireland fall 6.3% compared to a year ago, according to new statistics released by the Northern Ireland retail Consortium (NIRC). Footfall was up on the 9.8% decline in October 2013, but Northern Ireland's figures are still lower than the whole of the UK, where shopper numbers were down 2.9%.
19 May 2014
Northern Ireland Retail Sector Shows April Recovery
NI Shopping figures have increased by almost 13% in April compared to the same period last year, according to the Northern Ireland Retail Consortium (NIRC). The vacancy rate in Northern Ireland was 17.2%, marginally improved from the previous quarter.
Northern Ireland Retail Sector Shows April Recovery
NI Shopping figures have increased by almost 13% in April compared to the same period last year, according to the Northern Ireland Retail Consortium (NIRC). The vacancy rate in Northern Ireland was 17.2%, marginally improved from the previous quarter.
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Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Scattered showers and clear spells continue through this evening, becoming dry with clear skies developing in places for a time overnight. Clouding over again from the west by sunrise. Minimum temperature 3 °C.
