June saw total UK retail footfall decrease by 1.9 per cent compared to last year, but this was not as low as footfall in May this year, which was -2.8 per cent.
This is according to the latest report from BRC-Sensormatic IQ. It showed that high street footfall increased by +0.6 per cent YoY, up from -0.5 per cent in May, yet retail parks saw footfall decrease -2.6 per cent YoY, and shopping centre figures fell by -4.2 per cent.
Of the UK nations, Scotland saw the least YoY decrease, -0.9 per cent, followed by Wales with -1 per cent, England with -1.9 per cent, and Northern Ireland saw the biggest decline in shopper numbers at -3.7 per cent.
More specifically, shoppers were out in force in Edinburgh last month! Footfall figures were up 4.7 per cent compared to June 2022. Meanwhile, London also saw an increase, but only a shallow one at +0.6 per cent YoY.
Helen Dickinson, Chief Executive of the British Retail Consortium, said that the hot weather meant that people opted to enjoy the outdoors, while shopping patterns are still finding “a new balance”, she added.
“We saw fewer visits to shopping centres and retail parks than last year. But high street locations were busier and footfall in major cities also improved, thanks to an increase in international tourism.”
Andy Sumpter, Retail Consultant EMEA for Sensormatic Solutions, commented: “While UK shopper traffic made a marginal gain in June compared to May, the ongoing cost-of-living pressure is set to continue to impact shopper behaviour and undermine consumer confidence.
“However, retailers will be looking ahead to July, and hoping to benefit from ambient footfall from the school holiday period.”
