Shopper numbers rise as consumers shop around for deals

Total UK footfall has decreased by 10.5 per cent in June, when compared to their pre-pandemic (2019) levels, a 2.0 percentage point improvement from May.

On year-on-year basis, the footfall increased by 23.1 per cent in June, according to the BRC-SensormaticIQ Footfall Monitor.

Footfall on High Streets declined by 13.9 per cent in June (Yo3Y), 0.3 percentage points worse than last month’s rate but an improvement on the 3-month average decline of 14.8 per cent.

Retail Parks saw footfall decrease by 8.1 per cent (Yo3Y), 1.8 percentage points worse than last month’s rate and was worse than the 3-month average decline of 7.0 per cent.

Shopping Centre footfall declined by 24.1 per cent (Yo3Y), 2.6 percentage points better than last month’s rate and above the 3-month average decline of 25.9 per cent.

England again saw the shallowest footfall decline of the four nations at -9.9 per cent, followed by Wales at -12.7 per cent and Northern Ireland at -14.7 per cent. Scotland again saw the steepest decline at -15.8 per cent.

“The cost-of-living crisis appears to be driving more people to shop around for the best deals both online and in-store, with the number of visits to individual shops rising in June. This was boosted by the Jubilee celebrations and summer heatwave, which more than compensated for the impact of the rail strikes on city centre footfall,” Helen Dickinson, chief executive of the British Retail Consortium (BRC), said.

“However, this has not translated into in-store and online sales, with volumes down significantly in recent months as consumers tightened their belts. Rising inflation, particularly soaring energy costs, is limiting customer spending power and damaging consumer confidence. This is only set to worsen in October as the energy price cap rises and the colder weather increases usage,” she added.

Andy Sumpter, Retail Consultant EMEA for Sensormatic Solutions, commented: “June delivered a rollercoaster ride for the High Street – the highs of the ‘Jubilee Jump’ in footfall where retailers benefitted from the beginning of the month was, in part, derailed by the rail strikes as some shoppers stayed at home to avoid travel disruption.

“This mixed bag of footfall performance will do little to allay retailers’ concerns as the cost-of-living and inflationary pressures continue to weigh heavy in the public consciousness. Retailers will be hoping that even if consumers shop less frequently, they will be more considered in their purchases to drive up conversion when they do come into store.”