The return of the workplace commute helped to carry folks again to excessive streets and city centres final month, however shopper numbers stay stubbornly beneath pre-pandemic ranges, new figures present.

The variety of folks going to outlets was up 10.4 per cent final month, in contrast with February final yr, however is 8.8 per cent down on 2019 ranges, in accordance with the most recent BRC-Sensormatic IQmonitor.

The restoration was sharpest in conventional excessive streets and purchasing centres, up by 17.8 per cent and 11.7 per cent, respectively, and pushed by the return of commuters to workplaces.

This was balanced by a decline in the usage of out-of-town retail parks. Seen as safer alternate options to busy excessive streets throughout the pandemic, they skilled a 3.3 per cent decline in numbers final month.

Chilly climate, the excessive value of dwelling and a looming rise in family power payments contributed to retaining customers away.

Helen Dickinson, chief government of the British Retail Consortium, stated: “Development in footfall slowed this month after the frenzy of Christmas purchasing and January gross sales. Some individuals are making fewer visits as the price of dwelling continues to bear down forward of the April power value rise.” She stated retailers have been investing of their “retailer expertise” however shopper confidence was weak and it was “important” that the federal government didn’t burden the retail business with further regulatory prices that hinder funding.

Richard Lim, a retail analyst, stated the info confirmed staff have been being “inspired to get again into the workplace not less than two or thrice per week”.

A central London “again to the workplace” benchmark by Springboard discovered final month that footfall exercise at workplace hotspots had risen as staff returned to workplaces.

UK shopper confidence rebounded in February to its highest degree in virtually a yr, though GfK, the analysis group, stated it was “nonetheless severely depressed”.