2 minute read
Retail Footfall
by 55 North
Footfall rises
Research suggests the cost-of-living crisis is driving more people to shop around for the best deals both online and in-store.
Total UK footfall decreased by 10.5% in June compared to pre-pandemic figures, but increased by 2.0 percentage points on May’s figures, according to BRC-Sensormatic IQ data.
The figures, covering the five weeks to 2 July, show footfall on high streets declined by 13.9% in June compared to pre-pandemic figures. This was 0.3 percentage points worse than last month’s rate, but an improvement on the threemonth average decline of 14.8%.
Shopping Centre footfall declined by 24.1% (Yo3Y), 2.6 percentage points better than last month’s rate and above the 3-month average decline of 25.9%. England again saw the shallowest footfall decline of the four nations at -9.9%, followed by Wales at -12.7% and Northern Ireland at -14.7%. Scotland again saw the steepest decline at -15.8%.
Retail Parks saw footfall decrease by 8.1% compared to pre-pandemic figures, 1.8 percentage points worse than last month’s rate, and worse than the threemonth average decline of 7.0%.
The UK’s total footfall performance was ahead of Germany (-19.4%), Italy (-21.6%), and France (-23.5%) in June.
Helen Dickinson, Chief Executive of the British Retail Consortium, said: “The cost-of-living crisis appears to be driving more people to shop around for the best deals both online and in-store, with the number of visits to individual shops rising in June.
“This was boosted by the Jubilee celebrations and summer heatwave, which more than compensated for the impact of the rail strikes on city centre footfall. However, this has not translated into in-store and online sales, with volumes down significantly in recent months as consumers tightened their belts.”
Andy Sumpter, Retail Consultant EMEA for Sensormatic Solutions, added: “This mixed bag of footfall performance will do little to allay retailers’ concerns as the cost-of-living and inflationary pressures continue to weigh heavy in the public consciousness.”
