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It said shopper numbers, or footfall, in UK retail destinations from Monday to 1100 GMT on Friday was down 7.5% from the week before.
Springboard said traffic was particularly weak on high streets – down 14% on last week.
“The impact on high streets will have emanated from a mix of employees choosing to work at home due to the rail strike, and the cancellation of shopping and leisure trips. The cold weather is also likely to have played a part,” it said.
On a year-on-year basis total footfall is down 3.8% so far this week, it added.
With UK inflation running at 10.7% and consumer confidence close to record lows, retailers were already fearing a muted Christmas trading period, with a raft of surveys showing most consumers plan to do less holiday shopping this year.
Several British retailers, including Marks & Spencer (OTC:MAKSY) and Primark, have cautioned on the outlook in recent months, highlighting the stress felt by many households as the cost-of-living crisis eats into their finances.
Official data published on Friday showed retail sales slid unexpectedly in November, despite the men’s soccer World Cup and Black Friday sales promotions.