The Ups And Downs Of Retail Footfall In August

3rd September 2024

Covering the four weeks 28 July 2024 - 24 August 2024
According to BRC-Sensormatic IQ data:

Total UK footfall decreased by 0.4% in August (YoY), up from -3.3% in July.

High Street footfall decreased by 0.3% in August (YoY), up from -2.7% in July.

Retail Park footfall Increased by 2.6% in August (YoY), up from from -0.8% in July.

Shopping Centre footfall decreased by 1.8% in August (YoY), up from -3.9% in July.

N. Ireland and Scotland both saw increases in footfall YoY and:
Northern Ireland increased by 1.4% YoY.

Scotland increased by 0.7% YoY.

England decreased by 0.5% YoY.

Wales decreased by 1.8% YoY.

Helen Dickinson, Chief Executive of the British Retail Consortium, said, "As violent disorder erupted across the country earlier in the month, footfall was severely impacted as many people stayed away from shopping destinations. Retail parks saw footfall levels rise in the week following the riots as some continued to avoid high streets and shopping centres. Footfall recovered across all destinations towards the end of the month when warmer weather and summer sales prompted shoppers to browse their favourite stores."

While year on year footfall changes improved on July, they remain in negative territory. Local communities need Government to implement its high streets plan to help drive footfall back into growth. The upcoming budget is an opportunity to move forward with the plan to fix the broken business rates system which acts as a brake on retail investment, and contributes to our declining high streets as it leads to so many store closures up and down the country."

Andy Sumpter, Retail Consultant EMEA for Sensormatic Solutions, commented, "Despite the unrest at the beginning of the month, a strong footfall performance in the second half of August, helped by an easing of price inflation, fair weather and a boost from school and bank holiday trade, saw year-on-year shopper traffic rise to its highest level since July 2023.

With all destination types improving on July's visitor numbers, retail parks, which potentially picked up shopper traffic from town centres during riot disruption, had a standout month. Retailers will be hoping that the resilience seen in August, with footfall tantalisingly close to returning a positive year-on-year performance, will lead to longer-term growth for store traffic."