Figures released today by Experian indicare that, after fourteen consecutive quarters of declining footfall, quarter two of 2011 recorded the first year on year increase in footfall in the Republic of Ireland since Q3 2007. Footfall increased by 0.2% in Q2 2011 when compared with the same period in 2010.

Meanwhile, after a sharp decline over the past two quarters, footfall figures for Northern Ireland show an increase of 2.9% in the second quarter of 2011 compared with 2010.

Mark Anderson, Head of Sales at Experian Ireland, explained, “After a long period of depressed shopping activity across the Republic of Ireland, there seems to be an emerging improvement in footfall, particularly when you compare the figures with the sharp declines witnessed in 2009. While retailers are still experiencing extremely tough trading conditions, the return to positive figures will be welcomed.”

“The healthy figures surrounding the January sales, which saw an increase in recorded footfall by 1.3% has been repeated with the summer sales. June saw the strongest growth since January recording growth of 1.1%. The poor summer weather has helped with people visiting shopping centres rather than the beach!”

Please see below tables for monthly and quarterly figures

Table 1 Quarter on Quarter Yearly Comparison – Rep of Ireland

 

 

Table 2  Quarter on Quarter Yearly Comparison – Northern Ireland  

Quarter	Increase/decrease in Footfall year on year
Q2 2011	+ 2.9%
Q1 2011	- 2.1%
Q4 2010	- 7.2%
Q3 2010	+ 0.6%

 

Table 3 Month on Month Yearly Comparison – Republic of Ireland

Month	Increase/decrease in Footfall year on year (i.e. compared to the same month previous year)
June 2011	+ 1.1%
May 2011	- 1.2%
April 2011	+ 0.6%
March 2011	- 2.2%
February 2011	- 1.4%
January 2011	+ 1.3%
December 2010	- 2.6%
November 2010	-0.1%
October 2010	+ 0.8%
September 2010	-0.8%
May 2010	-1.2%
August 2010	-2.6%

  

Table 4 Month on Month Yearly Comparison – Northern Ireland

Month	Increase/ decrease in Footfall year on year (i.e. compared to the same month in the previous year)
June 2011	+ 0.4%
May 2011	+ 3.0%
April 2011	+ 5.5%
March 2011	-1.8%
February 2011	- 2.0%
January 2011	-2.4%
December 2010	-9.3%
November 2010	-10.0%
October 2010	0.0%
September 2010	+ 3.7%
August 2010	0.5%
July 2010	-3.7%

 

Table 5 Quarter on Quarter Yearly Comparison-Rep of Ireland

Quarter	Increase/ decrease in Footfall year on year
Q2 2011	+ 0.2%
Q1 2011	-1.1%
Q4 2010	- 1.1%
Q3 2010	- 1.7%
Q2 2010	- 1.7%
Q1 2010	- 0.6%
Q4 2009	- 7.23%
Q3 2009	-4.58%
Q2 2009	- 6.59%
Q1 2009	- 4.51%
Q4 2008	- 1.73%
Q3 2008	-3.1%
Q2 2008	- 4.1%
Q1 2008	- 0.7%
Q4 2007	- 1.76%
Q3 2007	- 1.2%

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.