Retail footfall remains “stubbornly negative”, with July the third month in a row to record fewer consumers in shops.
Total footfall decreased by 0.4% on July 2024, led by Northern Ireland, where there were 3% fewer shoppers, according to BRC-Sensormatic data released this morning (8 August).
While July’s score improved on June’s fall of 1.8% and a 1.7% drop in May, it still failed to bring the “summer boost” that many retailers had hoped for, said BRC chief Helen Dickinson.
“Instead, footfall dipped in July for the second consecutive year,” she added.
And despite “bright spots” like Manchester, Birmingham and Leeds, as well as a 1.7% increase in retail park attendance, more needs to be done to boost the high street, Dickinson said.
“Customers want a vibrant shopping destination, but with around one in seven shops lying empty, more needs to be done to turn town and city centres into places people want to visit,” she said.
“While the government’s plan to reduce business rates for most Retail, Hospitality and Leisure premises is a step in the right direction, only a substantial cut will truly benefit communities nationwide and help bring thousands of empty shops back into use.
“Many smaller shops and businesses rely on larger anchor stores to attract footfall so the upcoming reforms must also ensure no store pays more, or risk seeing many larger stores close their doors or raise their prices.”
Sensormatic’s EMEA retail consultant Andy Sumpter added that the hot early summer weather had probably benefitted leisure businesses more than retail – and consumers remain cautious.
“The underlying footfall trend may be improving, but this is still negative growth on negative 2024 figures – raising the question: are shoppers returning, or simply shopping around more as they try to spend less?” he said.
“Either way, retailers who can offer value, experience, and convenience may be best placed to convert tentative footfall into lasting growth.”
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