UK Consumers Remain Cautious About Returning to High Streets

A shopper walks past social distancing signs in Carnaby Street, as the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues, in London, UK, on June 22, 2020. Reuters/John Sibley

LONDON—The number of shoppers visiting retailers was down by nearly 50 percent last week compared with a year earlier, and the amount of money spent in pubs and restaurants as they re-opened last weekend suffered a similar fall, data showed on Tuesday.

The figures came a day before finance minister Rishi Sunak is due to announce his latest moves to steer Britain’s economy away from its 25 percent collapse in March and April, which media have said might include targeted cuts in value-added tax.