UK footfall declines 0.7% in Oct, high streets see mild lift

The UK’s retail footfall declined by 0.7 per cent year-on-year (YoY) in October covering the four weeks from Oct 05 to Nov 01, 2025, according to data from British Retail Consortium (BRC)-Sensormatic. This marked an improvement from the 1.8 per cent drop recorded in September, reflecting a gradual stabilisation in shopper visits despite ongoing cost pressures and cautious household spending.

High streets posted a slight recovery, with footfall rising 0.6 per cent in October compared to a 2.5 per cent fall in September. Retail parks saw footfall ease by 0.5 per cent, improving from a 0.8 per cent decline the previous month. Shopping centres remained weak but also showed signs of easing pressure, with footfall down 0.9 per cent against a 2 per cent drop in September.

“While overall footfall fell for the sixth consecutive month, there was some good news on High Streets, which saw positive shopper traffic after a disappointing September. With consumer confidence remaining weak ahead of the possibility of a tax-raising Budget, many households have stayed away from shopping centres and retail parks. However, a Friday Halloween brought some welcome relief, delivering a late-month boost for retailers,” Helen Dickinson, chief executive of the BRC, said.

“Halloween gave retailers a brief treat, with footfall rising on the day, but overall figures suggest shoppers remain cautious. In response, some retailers have brought forward discounting to tempt early spend, hoping to capture demand ahead of Black Friday and the festive peak. The Autumn Statement also looms, with hopes for support to ease cost pressures,” Andy Sumpter, Retail Consultant EMEA for Sensormatic, commented.

Regional trends remained mixed. Wales registered the strongest performance with footfall up 0.6 per cent YoY. In contrast, Scotland declined 0.1 per cent, Northern Ireland slipped 0.2 per cent, and England saw a sharper 0.9 per cent fall, BRC said in a release.

“It is vital the Chancellor uses the Budget to support shops – including large anchor stores - which help drive shopper traffic to high streets and surrounding businesses. Now is the moment for Government to deliver on their manifesto’s business rates commitment, exclude retail from the new business rates surtax and ensure a meaningful rates reduction for the industry. This will help to boost investment in fresh and exciting shopping destinations, better in-store experiences and encourage shoppers to visit more often,” Dickinson urged.

ALCHEMPro News Desk (HU)