UK footfall decline continues in October

Retail Parks experienced a 4.3 per cent decrease in footfall, down from -2.4 per cent in the previous month. Shopping Centre footfall took the hardest hit, falling by 7.3 per cent, compared to -4.0 per cent in September.

Among the UK nations, England recorded the least significant year-on-year decline in footfall, with a 5.3 per cent decrease. Scotland followed closely with a 5.5 per cent decrease, while Wales saw a 5.6 per cent drop, and Northern Ireland experienced the largest decline at 6.8 per cent.

Helen Dickinson, chief executive of the British Retail Consortium, said: “Umbrellas were up as heavy rainfall descended across the UK in October, leading many shoppers to stay at home. As inflationary pressures on households begin to ease, some people are shopping around slightly less, braving the rain only to make their final purchases. This led to a larger year on year drop in footfall in all shopping locations than we saw in September.

“While consumer confidence may be higher than 2022 it is still very weak, dropping over the last month. The economic landscape remains tough, with input prices and cost pressures above normal levels. Retailers are investing heavily in their Christmas offering—trying to provide the best value and service for their customers. The Government must ensure it does not unnecessarily burden retailers with additional costs and the Autumn Budget offers an opportunity to avoid a £470 million-per-year business rates rise, which would push up prices and limit industry growth.”

Andy Sumpter, retail consultant EMEA for Sensormatic Solutions, commented: “October saw overall footfall decline again year-on-year, off the back of subdued September figures, with shopper traffic regionally impacted by Storm Babet which delivered the most severe and widespread disruptive weather of the year to date. The ongoing cost-of-living pressure continues, despite inflationary easing, to impact shopper behaviour through October. Our destination data seems to show that consumers are visiting fewer stores during each trip.”

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (KD)