High street retailers looking for an edge may think of various ideas to keep customer numbers high in a time of economic uncertainty. Discounting and promotions are one approach, but others will use excellent store maintenance to help make the experience of walking into a store an attractive one.

The impact of positive measures to attract customers is sure to be felt at a time when the latest High Street statistics show a mixed picture.

Evidence of this comes from the latest MRI Software figures, which showed that the first week in March produced an increase in footfall compared with the week before, but a lower total than the equivalent week in 2024.

Talking Retail suggested this was no coincidence as it occurred when schools went back after half-term and sunny weather brought more people out of their homes.

Indeed, it was in coastal towns, Greater London and market towns that the increases were highest, suggesting that places with visitor attractions were more likely to benefit.

However, London still saw lower footfall than in the first week of March 2024. High Streets outperformed shopping centres and retail parks, with figures static compared to a year before, while the other two categories saw declines.

At the same time, it was noted that annual fluctuations may even out over March and April, with traditional spring events like Mother’s Day and Easter being later this year, thus delaying purchases for these occasions.

Another area of ambiguity is among different retailers, with some closing stores and others opening more.

For example, Select Fashion is closing its UK stores after a series of poor results pushed it to the brink of liquidation, with the firm expected to go out of business shortly.

By contrast, DIY store Homebase, which fell into administration last year, is set to open 14 new ‘garden centre’ stores across the UK in April as the firm continues its recovery.