Shoppers in England are flocking to make last-minute buys ahead of lockdown, which will see non-essential retailers shut for a month.
The number of shoppers on Tuesday was up 19.1% compared with the same day last week, industry figures show.
Footfall saw particularly large increases in shopping centres and retail parks, according to Springboard.
Coronavirus: Shoppers flock to stores as lockdown looms https://t.co/vxNEIyPfIU
— BBC Business (@BBCBusiness) November 4, 2020
It said that there had "clearly been panic buying" as people rush to buy Christmas presents before shops close.
It comes as social media users have reported lengthy queues outside stores such as Primark, Zara and The Card Factory.
Clothes shops and card retailers are among those non-essential retailers who will have to shut their doors for the month-long lockdown from Thursday 5 November.
Why why WHY am I in the queue for the primark in town like why am I doing this to myself ?????
— Fran williams (@frxnwilliams) November 4, 2020
last day before lockdown and i’m standing in a forty person queue outside Zara...
— . (@lidlbich) November 4, 2020
Retailers such as John Lewis, Currys PC World and toy chain the Entertainer have all extended their opening hours in order to cope with the surge in demand ahead of the new restrictions.
Cary Grant, boss of the Entertainer, told the BBC that it was "just like Christmas". His 173 shops are extending their hours until 7pm or 8pm from 5.30pm and expect brisk trading right up until Wednesday night.
Shopping centres in particular have seen a big rise in the number of customers through their doors, with a 19.9% increase on Tuesday. High Streets and retail parks followed with a 19.1% and 18.4% uplift.
Latest Stories
-
Director urges parents to protect children from abuse
9 mins -
Imani-Ghana criticises Akufo-Addo for not lauding Fourth Estate’s contribution to social development
16 mins -
Man remanded for allegedly stabbing businessman with broken bottle and screwdriver
41 mins -
Population in Kumasi Central Prison surges to 1800, threefold exceeding capacity
51 mins -
NPP to conduct La Dadekotopon parliamentary primary today
51 mins -
KPMG’s report on GRA and SML deal, government white paper on report and matters arising
52 mins -
I won’t reply to Chris Brown tour criticism – Ayra Star
54 mins -
British Columbia to back off drug decriminalisation project
1 hour -
Veteran commentator Joe Lartey Sr dies at 96
1 hour -
Livestream: Newsfile discusses KPMG report on SML deal, ILO on SSNIT reserves and NDC’s running mate
2 hours -
Ghanaian activist hugs over 1,100 trees in an hour to set Guinness World Records
2 hours -
Mathew Anim Cudjoe’s Dundee United promoted to Scottish Premiership after Championship win
2 hours -
NSMQ star Jochebed Adwoa Sutherland sweeps 12 awards at UG Vice-Chancellor’s Ceremony
2 hours -
Ghana’s Education Quality ranked 125 out of 183 countries in latest Global Youth Development Index
3 hours -
Emma Stone wants people to use her real first name
3 hours