Housewares Business-to-business magazine for housewares retailers and their suppliers
Non-food shopping trips enjoyed a surprise upturn last month, according to the latest figures from SPSL’s Retail Traffic Index.
They were 2.2% up on those of last May – and 6.4% up on this April’s figures.
SPSL’s retail psychologist Dr Tim Denison explained: “Good weather for the first half of May this year boosted shopper numbers considerably, unleashing latent interest especially in seasonal ware. We really hadn’t expected such a marked resurgence. Towards the end of the month, as the weather turned less favourable, the boost in footfall was sustained by retailers launching catch-them-while-we-can, extra-early sales.”
He added that after a poor March and April this year many retailers had now launched their latest campaigns to capture footfall and convert browsers into shoppers. He said these included very deep discounting, particularly on homewares, furniture and electronics.
“Looking forward, we predict that June will see even more special promotions designed to get shoppers out of their homes and into the stores. Expect to see downloadable vouchers, one-day or even one-hour events, special warehouse summer clearances and stock liquidations in every sector. Expect a bargain bonanza right through to September,” Denison concluded.
