Overall, retail footfall grew 1.1% in the week commencing December 23 compared with last year, with UK high streets enjoying a 2.8% growth, according to the latest Springboard data.Meanwhile, shopping centre footfall was up 1.1%, and footfall in retail parks increased 1.2%.

The footfall rise is good news for a sector that faced multiple challenges in 2018, but Springboard was quick to note that the results were enhanced by an additional day of trading compared to the previous year.“The week benefited from an additional trading day before Christmas, as Christmas Day fell on Tuesday this year compared with Monday in 2017,” said Diane Werhle, marketing and insights director at Springboard.“Moreover the week included 23 December (the peak trading day before Christmas) while last year the week commenced on 24 December, when footfall is lower.“The difference made by the shift in the calendar is illustrated clearly by the fact that last year footfall declined in this week by four percent.”Compared against the same seven-day period between 23 and 29 December last year, footfall declined by 2.6% in 2018.