UK retail footfall has increased for the first time in over a year, signalling a positive shift in consumer behaviour.
- Data indicates a 3.3% rise in total UK shopper visits, reversing a prior decline.
- Retail parks experienced the most significant growth, with a 7.3% increase in footfall.
- Shopping centres and high streets also saw modest gains in visitor numbers in September.
- Mild weather conditions and a less challenging economic landscape contributed to this upturn.
For the first time in over a year, the UK retail sector has witnessed an upswing in consumer footfall, attributed primarily to the back-to-school shopping season. This development marks a 3.3% rise in overall shopper visits across the country, reversing a 0.4% decline noted in August, according to the British Retail Consortium (BRC).
Retail parks have shown the most substantial recovery, achieving a 7.3% increase in footfall for September, an improvement from a 2.6% rise observed the previous month. Shopping centres recorded a 2.3% rise in visitor numbers, contrasting with a 1.8% decrease in August, while high streets experienced a more modest 0.9% increase compared to a previous 0.3% drop.
Each of the UK’s four nations exhibited year-on-year growth in footfall, with Wales and England leading the charge at 5.4% and 3.6% increases, respectively. This positive trajectory is largely credited to favourable weather conditions and reduced economic pressures that have encouraged consumers to engage more actively in retail spaces.
Helen Dickinson, Chief Executive of the BRC, noted, ‘Footfall rose for the first time in over a year as mild temperatures combined with weak footfall last year led to strong growth in September. It was neither too hot nor too cold for customers, leaving retailers in the sweet spot for additional shopping trips.’ This shift is especially notable compared to last year’s period, where extreme heat discouraged outings and delayed purchases.
Retail parks, in particular, have thrived as consumers opted for locations that provide convenient parking, especially during rainy periods. Looking ahead, the sector remains focused on the forthcoming months leading to Christmas, recognised as a critical period for retail performance. Strategic initiatives such as a ‘Retail Business Rates Corrector,’ advocated by the BRC, aim to further promote footfall and investment in high streets.
The recent increase in retail footfall offers a promising outlook for the sector as it approaches the vital holiday season.
