Skip to content
Search
AI Powered
Latest Stories

BRC calls on government to support retail destination as footfall drops

BRC calls on government to support retail destination as footfall drops
(Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images)
AFP via Getty Images

Footfall declined for the twelfth consecutive month, failing to maintain the buoyancy seen in 2022-23, shows the data released by leading retailers' body as it calls the Labour government to reform both business rates and planning laws.

According to BRC-Sensormatic IQ data, total UK footfall decreased by 3.3 per cent in July (YoY), down from -2.3 per cent in June. High Street footfall increased by 2.7 per cent in July (YoY), up from -3.1 per cent in June while retail Park footfall decreased by 0.8 per cent in July (YoY). Shopping Centre footfall decreased by 3.9 per cent in July (YoY).


All UK nations saw a fall in footfall year on year, states the report. Scotland decreased by 2.3 per cent YoY while Northern Ireland decreased by 2.2 per cent YoY. England decreased by 3.4 per cent, witnessing the largest fall in footfall, while Wales saw a dip of 3.2 per cent.

Helen Dickinson, Chief Executive of the British Retail Consortium, said, "Footfall declined for the twelfth consecutive month, failing to maintain the buoyancy seen in 2022/23. As summer got into full swing, many people have chosen to increase their spending on holidays and leisure activities rather than shopping. Election week also saw particularly weak footfall, as political electioneering peaked, creating uncertainty for many consumers.

“With the election now over, many retailers will be making decisions about how and where to invest in the coming years. Retailers welcomed Labour’s promises to reform both business rates and planning laws – two major factors that often hold back much needed local investment. If Labour can address these effectively, they could help breathe new life into retail destinations.”

Andy Sumpter, Retail Consultant EMEA for Sensormatic Solutions, commented, “Despite a warmer and drier month compared to the wash-out that was June, July’s footfall faltered with shopper traffic falling back to the same levels we saw in May.

"As we approach a full year of seeing footfall yo-yo in its ongoing recovery, it’s clear the longtail of the cost-of-living crisis is continuing to rattle consumer confidence and is likely to prompt spending caution for some time to come, making each in-store conversion all the harder won. With election fever now over and the school holidays now in full swing, retailers will be hoping that spells a positive outlook for store performance in the months to come.”

More for you

Confex

Confex expands with addition of new members

Leading buying group Confex has added three new members, further strengthening its buying power and geographical reach.

As reported today (8), Ahmed Foods, A C Georgiades and Regency Service and Solutions have joined Confex. Their combined turnover adds an impressive £56.2 million to Confex's turnover, which further bolsters its strength and buying power as a group.

Keep ReadingShow less
Budget to burden Scottish c-stores with 'tens of millions they cannot afford'

iStock image

Budget to burden Scottish c-stores with 'tens of millions they cannot afford'

Eye watering increases to employer NI contributions in this year’s UK Budget, alongside a 77p increase to the National Living Wage (NLW), could add around £2,400 to the cost of employing a full-time member of staff, Scottish Grocers Federation stated today (8).

Convenience staff across Scotland worked almost 500 million hours last year. Over 55,000 people are employed across the Scottish convenience sector, many of whom fall within the scope of the increase to National Insurance Contributions (NIC) and the NLW rise, meaning that together the changes could cost retailers tens of millions in additional outgoings. Despite the planned uplift in Employment Allowance relief from £5,000 to £10,500.

Keep ReadingShow less
New report outlines path for food sector to achieve emission reduction

(Photo by Leon Neal/Getty Images)

New report outlines path for food sector to achieve emission reduction

The Institute for Grocery Distribution (IGD) has released the report, "A Net Zero Transition Plan for the UK Food System", providing a framework for the food sector to achieve 70 per cent emissions reductions in agriculture and to fully decarbonize heat, electricity and transport.

Commissioned by IGD and developed by consultants EY and WRAP, the first of its kind report provides an independent, evidence-based view for how the UK food system in its entirety, can reduce Greenhouse Gas emissions in line with a 1.5degree SBTi outcome and to meet the UK’s legally binding national target.

Keep ReadingShow less
Ministers urged to tax unhealthy foods

iStock image

Ministers urged to tax unhealthy foods

Ministers are getting under pressure to impose taxes on packaged foods containing high content of salt and/or sugar.

In a plea addressed to the chancellor, Rachel Reeves, and the health secretary, Wes Streeting, representing 35 health groups, it is highlighted that taxing unhealthy foods such as cakes, sweets, biscuits, crisps and savoury snacks would generate billions of pounds for the Treasury and cut the number of people becoming ill as a result of a bad diet.

Keep ReadingShow less
The-Fed-logo-RGB-Red-Trans-background.png
The Fed mourns ex-President Margaret Adams, retail pioneer
The Fed mourns ex-President Margaret Adams, retail pioneer

The Fed puts thousands of pounds back in members’ pockets

Tireless work by the Federation of Independent Retailers (the Fed) Contact Centre has seen almost a quarter of a million pounds recovered from news wholesalers in 2024.

The latest figures show that £187,130 has been recovered in missing credits, missing vouchers and recharges, as well as money saved through waived deposits for news wholesale accounts.

A further £40,338 was recovered in restitution for instances of late supply or missing supply having an impact on home news deliverers, taking the overall total paid back to members this year to date to £227,468.

“Once again our Contact Centre has delivered for members," said The Fed’s National President, Mo Razzaq. "This is testament to the tireless work of the team, ensuring Fed members are not left out of pocket when things go wrong.

“The amount of money the team has recovered in 2024 is further proof that, for independent retailers, it really does pay to be a member of the Federation.”

Keep ReadingShow less