The following analysis contains data for the devices at Westdaw, S.C Fuller, Bernard Marcus, Dorking Light & Shade, Renee’s Health Food Store and The Optical Studio.
- Footfall levels in February were consistent with January as the nation remained in lockdown.
- Dorking saw non-essential shops, hospitality venues, gyms and hairdressers all close during this period, making up 54% of the total shops in Dorking.
- Footfall however did increase in Week 7 and Week 9, the increase in Week 9 being driven by the device at Westdaw.
Weekly footfall profile
- Figure 1 shows how weekly footfall trends have altered from February 2020 to 2021.
- There was a lower percentage of footfall spread across the key trading days of Friday and Saturday in 2021 compared to 2020, with the closure of non-essential retail likely to be the cause.
- Footfall on a Sunday has increased as households are more likely to visit ‘essential’ shops on this day to avoid peak times.
- This is evident at the Westdaw and Bernard Marcus devices, with footfall levels on Sunday in 2021 above those seen in 2020.
Overall footfall volume
- Figure 2 shows the weekly footfall throughout February for the active footfall devices.
- Westdaw saw footfall rise dramatically in Week 9 rising by 23% on the previous week.
- Renee’s Health Food Store also saw a similar rise in footfall in Week 9.
- This could be due to the announcement from the prime minister at the start of the week sharing the roadmap out of lockdown.
- Figure 3 shows the weekly total footfall in February across Dorking.
Week-on-week change in footfall
- Figure 4 shows the percentage change in footfall week-on week in February.
- Optical Studio saw footfall peak in Week 7. This is likely due to its proximity to the florist, Flowers By Elaine, with Valentine’s Day falling in this week.
- Westdaw (+23%), Renee’s Health Food Store (+28%), and Dorking Light & Shade (+5%) all saw increases in footfall in Week 9.
- The Optical Studio saw a 28% drop in footfall in Week 9.
- Figure 5 shows an increase in footfall in Week 7 and Week 9, however February showed inconsistent week-on-week changes with dips in Week 6 and Week 8.
