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Retail footfall in UK down by 10% in 7 yrs: survey
17 Oct '19
2 min read
Pic: Shutterstock
Retail footfall in the United Kingdom declined by 1.7 per cent in September compared to the same point last year when it declined by 1.7 per cent, according to the September 2019 update of the British Retail Consortium (BRC)-Springboard footfall and vacancies monitor. On a three-month basis, footfall decreased by 1.6 per cent, the survey said.
The six and 12-month averages are at minus 2.0 per cent and minus 1.7 per cent respectively. The survey covered the five weeks from August 25 to September 28.
High street footfall declined by 1.8 per cent, after a decrease of 2.2 per cent in September last year. The three-month average decline is 2.1 per cent.
Shopping centre footfall declined by 3.2 per cent compared to September 2018’s decline of 2.5 per cent. The three-month average decline was 2.9 per cent.
“Retailers are facing a sustained drop in footfall, with numbers of visitors down over 10% in the last seven years alone. With Brexit looming, many consumers are holding off from all but essential purchases, and it is no surprise that the 1.7% drop in footfall has also contributed to a similar fall in sales. High streets and shopping centres were hit hardest with retail parks faring slightly better as they continue to entice shoppers with their varied consumer offering,” BRC chief executive Helen Dickinson said.
“The ongoing transformation of the retail industry is putting increasing pressure on retailers, which is now compounded by the spectre of a no deal Brexit on 31st October. If the Government wants to support consumers and retailers they should make sure they take no deal off the table, while also addressing the public policy costs such as business rates, that prevent shops from investing in their retail offering,” he added.
The six and 12-month averages are at minus 2.0 per cent and minus 1.7 per cent respectively. The survey covered the five weeks from August 25 to September 28.
High street footfall declined by 1.8 per cent, after a decrease of 2.2 per cent in September last year. The three-month average decline is 2.1 per cent.
Shopping centre footfall declined by 3.2 per cent compared to September 2018’s decline of 2.5 per cent. The three-month average decline was 2.9 per cent.
“Retailers are facing a sustained drop in footfall, with numbers of visitors down over 10% in the last seven years alone. With Brexit looming, many consumers are holding off from all but essential purchases, and it is no surprise that the 1.7% drop in footfall has also contributed to a similar fall in sales. High streets and shopping centres were hit hardest with retail parks faring slightly better as they continue to entice shoppers with their varied consumer offering,” BRC chief executive Helen Dickinson said.
“The ongoing transformation of the retail industry is putting increasing pressure on retailers, which is now compounded by the spectre of a no deal Brexit on 31st October. If the Government wants to support consumers and retailers they should make sure they take no deal off the table, while also addressing the public policy costs such as business rates, that prevent shops from investing in their retail offering,” he added.
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