This summer, UK retail destinations experienced a noticeable decline in footfall, continuing a concerning trend.
- June saw an overall footfall decline of 1.4% compared to the previous year, with high streets and shopping centres particularly affected.
- Despite an increase from May, the gains primarily occurred in the latter part of June, spurred by events like the Euro’s and Taylor Swift’s tour.
- Retail parks bucked the trend slightly with a modest footfall increase, amidst overall declines elsewhere.
- Consumer holiday plans, as highlighted by MRI Software, indicate potential further decreases in retail footfall during July and August.
In June, UK retail destinations faced a pronounced decrease in footfall, dropping by 1.4% from the previous year. This decline marked the first such downturn in June since the pre-pandemic era of 2019, specifically impacting high streets and shopping centres. High street footfall alone saw a reduction of 2.3%, while shopping centres experienced a 1.3% decrease.
Although there was an increase in footfall from May to June of 2.7%, this was largely concentrated in the latter half of the month when major events like the Euro’s football championships and Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour occurred in the UK. These events, along with a brief heatwave, contributed to a significant boost in visitor numbers, particularly on high streets, which saw a 7.3% increase from the preceding week.
Retail parks showed resilience amidst the broader downturn, managing a small growth of 0.5% in footfall. This contrasted with declines observed in other retail sectors, suggesting a possible shift in consumer preferences towards these destinations.
MRI Software’s insights indicate that the fall in retail footfall might continue through the summer months. Their May Consumer Pulse Survey revealed that 46.5% of respondents planned to holiday abroad, with July and August being particularly popular months, potentially further reducing foot traffic in domestic retail venues.
The impact of the challenging retail environment is echoed by industry voices such as Darren Hoggett, who noted, “June has been the worst for us in memory, when usually it is one of the best months of the year. Consumers are only buying out of need, rather than want, with footfall at an all-time low.”
The UK retail sector faces ongoing challenges with footfall, as consumer behaviour shifts and economic conditions fluctuate.
