SHOPPER numbers in the north dropped 2.4 per cent in January compared to the same month last year as fewer people took to high streets for new year sales.
The figures revealed by the Northern Ireland Retail Consortium (NIRC) followed a 1.2 per cent rise in shopper numbers in December.
Across the UK, footfall was 1.2 per cent lower in January than a year ago.
The vacancy rate in Northern Ireland was 16.3 per cent, marginally improved from the previous quarter.
NIRC director Aodhán Connolly, PICTURED, said the statistics were "an unfortunate start to 2015, after what was a robust and positive year as a whole last year".
"The decline in shopper numbers in January serves to underline the need for greater partnership working between town-centres, local authorities and the executive and a laser-like focus on delivering the support the High Street needs to keep drawing in Northern Ireland's consumers," he said. "Retailers will take some small comfort from the fact that the vacancy rate continues to decline. However it remains stubbornly high. It's a continuing reminder that the policy mix still isn't quite right for our high streets to flourish once more."
Diane Wehrle, retail insights director at Springboard, which compiled the figures, said: "Once again footfall in Northern Ireland's retail destinations is proving to be volatile, shifting downward by three percentage points to a drop of 2.4 per cent compared with an increase of 1.4 per cent in December.
"This drop was driven by high streets, where footfall declined by 3.4 per cent. Without doubt this is due to both the challenge of the internet and the convenience of out-of-town locations for click-and-collect as they offer plentiful, accessible parking that is free of charge."
Criona Collins, director of retail at commercial property specialists Lambert Smith Hampton, said despite the drop "recent times have seen several notable improvements for the retail sector".
"A brighter economic backdrop, increased consumer confidence and the availability of more attractive lease terms has supported a rise in retailer activity. The vacancy rate in Northern Ireland was 16.3 per cent, marginally improved from the previous quarter.
"Value retailers such as Home Bargains, Poundland, B&M and Pound-world have been very active and are aggressively expanding across the province.
"Belfast in particular has seen a number of lettings to new entrants including Mango, Kiehls, Dr Martens, Pepperberry, Joules, Bravissimo and Jacamo/Simply Be. Foyleside Shopping Centre, The Abbeycentre and Forestside Shopping Centre are all now approaching full capacity.
"The sentiment in the retail industry is optimistic but the reality is that the situation is still in the early stages of recovery. It is likely that the recovery will be slow, but slow and steady is better than boom and bust as we have learned in recent years."