Retail footfall declined by a further 0.4% year on year in August, in a repeat of last month’s disappointment to retailers.
Despite a modest uptick of 1.1% to high street footfall – up from a 1.7% fall in July – BRC-Sensormatic figures showed overall numbers in decline for the fourth consecutive month, as the balmy 2025 summer failed to get shoppers into retail parks and shopping centres.
The fall held across all four nations of the UK, although Wales was the hardest hit, with 2.6% fewer shoppers compared to last year.
“August marked the end of the hottest meteorological summer on record, but footfall stayed cool – flatlining at –0.4%, exactly where we were last month,” said Sensormatic EMEA retail consultant Andy Sumpter.
BRC CEO Helen Dickinson said there were encouraging signs on city high streets, adding: “Sunny weather encouraged shoppers back to town and city centres, with most cities reporting positive growth. Sheffield joined Birmingham and Manchester as the country’s top performers,” she said.
However, Sumpter warned that: “While the sun may have shone, there may be (metaphorical) storms ahead.
“Retailers continue to be asked to do more with less, even as the cost of delivering great service rises. But shoppers are out there, and they’re shopping around – which means opportunity is on the table. Growth is possible, but it demands boldness: investment, innovation, and a willingness to take calculated risks.”
Dickinson also said the Chancellor’s upcoming changes to business rates would be the perfect opportunity to give retailers a helping hand.
“The last budget imposed £7bn in new costs which has limited retailers’ ability to invest in local communities,” she added.
”Government’s planned reductions of business rates for retail and hospitality premises is the golden opportunity to change this, and the Chancellor must use the budget to ensure no shop pays more as a result of reforms. This would enable retailers to invest more in our local communities, support local jobs, and relieve pressure on prices.”
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