Retail Footfall

Footfall stifled by heatwave

Data shows there was some respite in the last week of July as people stocked up on food and drink ahead of the Women’s Euros final.

Total UK footfall decreased by 14.2% in July compared to pre-pandemic figures, 3.7 percentage points worse than June, according to new BRC-Sensormatic IQ data.

The figures reveal footfall on high streets declined by 15.9% on pre-pandemic figures and are 2.0 percentage points worse than June’s rate.

Shopping centre footfall declined by 24.8% on pre-pandemic figures, 0.7 percentage points worse than June’s rate, and above the three-month average decline of 25.1%.

Meanwhile, Northern Ireland saw the shallowest footfall decline of all nations at -12.3%, followed by England at -14.0% and Wales at -15.8%. Scotland again saw the steepest decline at -16.5%.

Helen Dickinson, Chief Executive of the British Retail Consortium, said: “Following four months of steady progress, UK footfall stalled in July as record temperatures and the rising costof-living deterred people from visiting local shops.

“There was some respite in the last week of July, ahead of the Women’s Euros finals, as people stocked up on food and drink to watch the Lionesses bring footfall home.”

Andy Sumpter, Retail Consultant EMEA for Sensormatic Solutions, added: “July delivered a smorgasbord of summer disruption for retailers, as the ongoing rail strikes derailed footfall gains and the UK’s record-breaking heatwave saw shoppers shun the shops for several days as the temperatures soared. Add to this the ongoing cautiousness we’re seeing among the costof-living consumer, it made for a bumpy month for shopper traffic performance.

“And amidst the tailwinds of economic uncertainty, comes possible policy changes as the Tory leadership contest plays out; retailers will be listening closely to how the next Tory leader plans to help the High Street, whilst hoping shoppers vote with their feet in August.”