Large Retail Centres Continue Recovery as Shoppers Return to Malls and City Entries

Source: HDH Vitality Ranking October 2022

Locations such as Beaconsfield and Henley-on-Thames have risen sharply since 2019, benefitting from consumers’ shift to local high streets.

Andy Metherell, Head of Consultancy and Analytics at HDH, and lead on compiling the Vitality Rankings, says the rankings are starting to reflect the mix of hybrid working and the return to normality following COVID-19 restrictions, he said;

“We are starting to see larger centres rise in the rankings as shoppers return to city centres and regional malls. But with hybrid working now such a common working model, small and affluent commuter towns are still benefiting from that change in behaviour. Therefore these areas continue to populate the top of the rankings.

“We have also seen seaside towns and other domestic tourist hotspots maintain their places in the top 50, with Brits visiting these locations over the summer. So, it’s no surprise that they’re doing well.

“We are beginning to see the impact of the cost-of-living crisis on spending levels and consumer confidence. We may not see the full impact of inflation, rising interest rates, rising energy bills and a squeeze on household income until Vitality Rankings 2023. This is expected to have an impact on all areas, but especially some of those that are less affluent.”

The Vitality Rankings 2023 will be released early next year.