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Total UK footfall decreased by 1.6% in August (YoY), down from a rise of +1.8% in July, the BRC has said.
According to new data covering the four weeks from July 30 to August 26, high street footfall decreased by 0.9% in August (YoY), down from +1.6% in July. Shopping Centre footfall also decreased by 3.8% in August (YoY), down from +0.2% in July.
Meanwhile, retail parks footfall was unchanged at 0.0% in August (YoY), down from +1.4% in July.
Of the UK nations, Scotland saw a YoY rise in footfall, showing an increase of +0.4%. Conversely, England saw a YoY drop in footfall, a decrease of 1.3%. This was followed by Wales at -1.7% and Northern Ireland at -4.7%.
Helen Dickinson, chief executive of the BRC, said: “Footfall took a turn for the worse in August as the summer sun failed to materialise. The impact was made worse when compared to last year’s heatwave, where many shoppers rushed to the shops to buy clothing, BBQs and other outdoor essentials. This month it was shopping centres that took the biggest hit, while high streets were also significantly down on last year.
“Government should re-introduce a tax-free shopping scheme to attract international shoppers, who are currently choosing other destinations. Unless action is taken, the UK remains the only European country without a VAT-free shopping scheme.”
Andy Sumpter, retail consultant EMEA for Sensormatic Solutions, said: “Even if consumers are being more purposeful, visiting fewer stores during each shopping trip, the opportunity to benefit from that ambient footfall remains – the key will be how retailers can tap into that opportunity to turn passing trade into store visits and sales through meaningful store experiences and a retail offer that speaks to value.”
