Data from the British Retail Consortium (BRC)-Sensormatic IQ shows total footfall across the UK experienced a year-on-year (YoY) decrease of 2.9% in September, which is a downturn from the 1.6% decrease observed in August. Specific types of retail locations fared differently. High street footfall decreased by 1.7% in September, YoY, a decline from the 0.9% drop seen in August.
Retail parks saw a footfall decrease of 2.4%, shifting from a static 0.0% in August. Shopping centres experienced the most significant decline with a 4.0% drop in September, compared to a 3.8% decrease in July. Among the UK nations, Scotland bucked the trend with a YoY footfall increase of 1.0%. In contrast, Wales saw a decrease of 1.4%, followed by England at 2.9% and Northern Ireland at 3.6%.
Commenting on thge figures Helen Dickinson, Chief Executive of the BRC said “During the warmer-than-expected weather, footfall slowed in September, with fewer shoppers across all shopping locations. High streets and retail parks held up slightly better as the return to school helped increase the number of shopping visits at the start of the month. Retailers will want to invest in their properties in the run up to Christmas, but the prospect of a £400m increase to business rates next year will limit their capacity for improvements. The chancellor should announce a freeze to rates at the Autumn Budget in November”.
