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RPT-UK shopper numbers decline in final days of year
Mon Jan 2, 2006 6:39 AM GMT

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LONDON, Jan 1 (Reuters) - A surge in bargain-hunters in the run-up to Christmas was not sustained in the final days of the year, according to the latest survey of shopper numbers by business information group Footfall on Sunday.

The group said there was a 12.4 percent decline in shopper numbers at major retail centres during the period between Christmas and New Year, compared with the same period a year ago.

The fall came after sales rose 8 percent year-on-year on Dec. 26 and Dec. 27, Footfall said.

"Despite the fantastically busy first two shopping days after Christmas, normality seems to have returned with shopper numbers falling a disappointing 12.4 percent below 2004 for Monday to Friday combined," said Footfall Marketing Manager Natasha Burton in a statement.

"Numbers fell as the week progressed, people returned to work and had had their fill of bargain hunting for the week. With the majority of Christmas trading figures yet to be released, we will have to wait to see if the early sales boost helped retailer fortunes on the high street," she added.

Fashion chain Next Plc (NXT.L: Quote, Profile, Research) is the first leading UK retailer scheduled to release a Christmas trading update on Jan. 4 ahead of the majority of the sector's other leading companies such as Marks & Spencer (MKS.L: Quote, Profile, Research), Matalan (MTN.L: Quote, Profile, Research), Boots (BOOT.L: Quote, Profile, Research), HMV (HMV.L: Quote, Profile, Research) and Signet (SIG.L: Quote, Profile, Research).