UK retail footfall plummets by 7.2% in April: BRC-Sensormatic IQ

High streets saw a 6.9 per cent drop in footfall compared to the previous year, which is worse than the 1.5 per cent decrease recorded in March. Retail parks followed a similar trend, with footfall falling by 6.2 per cent, a noticeable decline from March's 3.5 per cent decrease, British Retail Consortium (BRC) said in a press release.

On the other hand, shopping centres managed to see a 7.2 per cent increase in footfall, although this was still a significant drop from the 0.3 per cent increase seen in March.

Across the UK, all nations experienced year-on-year declines in footfall. Scotland had the smallest decline, with a 3.6 per cent drop, while England experienced a 7.4 per cent decrease. Wales had an 8.1 per cent fall, and Northern Ireland suffered the most, with a substantial 11.1 per cent year-on-year decrease.

Helen Dickinson, chief executive of the BRC, said: “While UK footfall was impacted by poor weather last month, this was artificially exacerbated by the comparison with 2023, when Easter was in April. All locations saw declines on the previous month, and nearly all major cities performed similarly poorly. However, there was good news in Edinburgh, where footfall was positive once again owing to the investment in local shopping locations in the Scottish capital over the past few years.

“It is now vital that elected councillors, mayors and Police and Crime Commissioners all play their part in designing the right planning, transport and neighbourhood safety policies to create thriving shopping destinations in communities across the country. These actions, locally and nationally, can contribute to boosting footfall and revitalising retail centres.”

Andy Sumpter, retail consultant EMEA for Sensormatic Solutions, commented: “After an early Easter fuelled improved footfall performance in March, there is little doubt lacklustre levels of store visits in April will have come as a blow for many retailers. Whilst a drop in traffic may have been expected due to Easter falling early and the May bank holiday falling late, this will have been of little consolation. An exceptionally wet April also seems to have dampened many shoppers’ appetite for spending, especially in outlet and outdoor focused retailers. However, with financial pressures starting to ease for some, and indications of growing consumer confidence being reported, we will have to look forward to May to see if that filters through to improved in-store shopping.”

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (KD)