SPS Retail Traffic Index Holding Up

In-store traffic research for October has just been released by Solution Products Systems (SPS), presented in the form of Retail Traffic Index data. The latest figures, based on activity in over 1,000 UK stores, indicate that the slower first half of the month might have been no more than a blip in consumer confidence overall.

Reported by World Advertising Research Centre (WARC), the research details how traffic levels on the high street were just marginally down on October last year (-0.75%). This is with the major exclusion of the travel retail sector, where store traffic slid 4.75%, in the wake of September 11.

WARC also describes how, over the last two weeks of the month, year-on-year comparisons moved back into the black, with the schools half-term week particularly busy (traffic +14% on the week before). SPS is quoted as predicting that all bodes well for a healthy run-up to Christmas - with fears of terrorism at home the only potential fly in the ointment.

SPS is of the belief that the unseasonably mild temperatures enjoyed by the nation last month had little overall effect on store traffic, although there were losers as well as winners. While the balmy weather encouraged people outdoors, they were less tempted into fashion outlets that had just launched their winter collections.

Dr Tim Denison, director of knowledge management at SPS, remarked "Travel is the only sector of retailing that has seen any significant long term impact as a result of the events of September 11. It is still stuck at the departure gate waiting for permission to take off. People seem unprepared at the moment to browse the agencies as they would normally do at this time of year, despite the exceptional deals that are being offered."

All articles 2006-22 written and edited by Mel Crowther and/or Nick Thomas unless otherwise stated.