Footfall rose for the first time in over a year in September after a difficult summer for the retail sector thanks to mild temperatures and a favourable comparison with weak figures last year, shows new data.
The BRC-Sensormatic analysis shows total shopper numbers rose 3.3 per cent last month, a significant improvement from a decline of 0.4 per cent in August.
Retail parks enjoyed the biggest uplift, with footfall climbing 7.3 per cent in September, up from a 2.6 per cent rise the month before. Shopping centre visitor numbers increased 2.3 per cent, up from a 1.8 per cent fall in August, while high street footfall rose 0.9 per cent compared to a 0.3 per cent decline the previous month.
Helen Dickinson, Chief Executive of the British Retail Consortium, commented, "It was neither too hot nor too cold for customers, leaving retailers in the sweet spot for additional shopping trips. This compared positively to last year when the intense heatwave caused many people to stay home and delay purchases of autumnal clothes and products.
"Retail parks continued to perform particularly well as the increased rain drove some people towards shopping areas with nearby parking.
“While retailers will welcome this autumnal boost, it is the next few months, in the run-up to Christmas, that are most important. The Chancellor wants to boost confidence and help unlock business investment.
"A Retail Business Rates Corrector, a 20 per cent adjustment to bills for all retail properties, would help mitigate the disproportionate impact of business rates on retail, driving investment and helping to rejuvenate high streets. This, in turn, would boost shopper footfall and create thriving communities up and down the country.”