Warm weather fails to boost footfall in May

Retail footfall across the UK declined by 1.7% compared with May 2024, spelling a sharp drop from the 7.2% rise recorded in April, according to the latest data from the British Retail Consortium (BRC) and Sensormatic Solutions.

The downturn affected most retail locations, with High Streets down 2.5% year-on-year, and shopping centres falling 2.3%. Retail Parks saw a slight increase of 0.2%.

All four nations recorded annual declines in footfall, with England posting the steepest fall at 2%, followed by 1.4% in Northern Ireland, 0.7% in Scotland and 0.4% in Wales.

Helen Dickinson, chief executive of the BRC, said: “Despite favourable weather throughout May, footfall took a disappointing turn last month, following a more promising start to the year. While stock markets stabilised, higher household bills depressed consumer sentiment and the appetite to visit retail stores.

“The chancellor’s 2024 Budget added £5bn to the industry’s costs. The government must now ensure that upcoming reforms to business rates to be announced in the 2025 Budget leave no shop paying more.”

Andy Sumpter, retail consultant EMEA at Sensormatic, added: “Despite the warm and sunny weather footfall didn’t quite follow suit, suggesting that consumers may have favoured outdoor leisure over shopping. Still, May’s result is a marked improvement on the -3.6% seen in the same month last year.

“Encouragingly, consumer sentiment has shown signs of improvement, with more shoppers feeling optimistic about their personal finances and the wider economy. Notwithstanding ongoing cost pressures, retailers will be looking to make hay while the sun shines – focusing on the right mix of experience, value, and convenience to convert seasonal footfall into sustained growth.”