UK retail footfall declines again in August despite high street uptick

UK retail footfall fell 0.4 per cent year-on-year (YoY) in August, unchanged from July, according to British Retail Consortium (BRC)-Sensormatic data. High streets recorded a 1.1 per cent rise, rebounding from a 1.7 per cent drop in July, while retail parks fell 1.1 per cent after July’s 1.7 per cent growth. Shopping centres were flat at 0.0 per cent, improving slightly from July’s 0.3 per cent fall.

Regionally, footfall declined across all nations: down 0.2 per cent in England, 0.4 per cent in Scotland, 1.7 per cent in Northern Ireland, and 2.6 per cent in Wales—the steepest fall. Cities such as Sheffield, Birmingham, and Manchester were among the best performers, BRC said in a release.

“Despite a modest improvement for high streets, overall retail footfall declined in August for a fourth consecutive month. Sunny weather encouraged shoppers back to town and city centres, with most cities reporting positive growth. The last Budget imposed £7 billion (~$9.47 billion) in new costs which has limited retailers’ ability to invest in local communities. 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 that 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,” Helen Dickinson, chief executive of the British Retail Consortium, said.

“Growth is possible, but it demands boldness: investment, innovation, and a willingness to take calculated risks. For many, winning business hinges on service, which requires labour—and labour is more expensive than ever. The sector is resilient, but resilience alone won’t reignite momentum. To avoid flatlining becoming a new kind of normal, we need a spark. Whether that comes from innovation, creativity, or external support / investment, one thing’s clear: a nation of shopkeepers still needs its shoppers,” said Andy Sumpter, retail consultant EMEA at Sensormatic.

ALCHEMPro News Desk (HU)