The number of shoppers heading out to retail stores across Britain rose by 9% last week from the previous week, indicating "lockdown fatigue" for people cooped up at home, according to market researcher Springboard .
Footfall across all retail destinations was 65% lower than in the same week last year, according to the research.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson ordered England into a new national lockdown 4 January to contain a surge in Covid-19 cases that threatens to overwhelm parts of the health system.
Under the rules in England, schools are closed to most pupils, people should work from home if possible, and all hospitality and non-essential shops are closed.
Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales have imposed similar measures.
Springboard said that in the week to 23 Jan, footfall was up 10.9% in UK high streets, 9.2% in shopping centres and 4.5% in retail parks compared to the previous week.
"Despite rain and snow last week across much of the UK, footfall rose in retail destinations last week from the week before for the first time in five weeks; perhaps providing the first indications of lockdown fatigue emerging once again," said Springboard director Diane Wehrle.
"The last rise in footfall was in the peak Christmas trading week beginning 13 December, and even then the rise was only a third as large as last week's," she said.
