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Retail footfall rose by 1.5% week-on-week across all retail locations, primarily driven by a 2.9% increase in retail parks, followed by a 1.3% rise in high streets and a 0.9% uplift in shopping centres, according to the latest MRI Software’s data.
Warmer weather, seasonal demand and the early momentum of summer events helped boost visitor numbers.
Visitor numbers dipped slightly on Tuesday and Friday, by an average of 0.7%, but remained positive on other days. Footfall peaked on Thursday in high streets (5.1%) and on Wednesday in retail parks (6.6%) and shopping centres (3.7%).
Overall, footfall across all UK retail destinations was up 3.8% year on year.
MRI also noted Oasis’s long-awaited reunion tour, which opened in Cardiff last week, triggered a sharp rise in visitor numbers across the city.
Between 3 and 6 July, Cardiff recorded a 25.1% year-on-year increase in footfall, and a 10.6% rise compared with the previous week, according to early data.
The most significant jump came on Friday, the tour’s opening night, when footfall climbed 61.9% year on year and 28% week on week.
Activity peaked between 8pm and 11pm with a 90.4% year-on-year surge, representing a 40.7% week-on-week rise.
The figures suggest the tour is acting as an “economic stimulus for host cities”.
MRI stated that with the band set to perform in major locations throughout the summer, retailers and hospitality operators “may see similar uplifts in footfall and spending during the key trading period”.
Additionally, Central London locations recorded a 2.7% week-on-week rise, the strongest among all town types.
Year-on-year figures were more robust, with office-heavy parts of Central London seeing a 10.6% increase, and the broader area up 7.5%.
Most UK regions reported modest week-on-week increases, although the East of England (–0.1%), East Midlands (–1%) and Scotland (–0.7%) saw slight declines. However, annual comparisons were more encouraging, particularly in Wales (6.3%) and the West Midlands (6.4%).
The data revealed that with another heatwave forecast, retail operators may experience “further growth as consumers seek both outdoor leisure and climate-controlled shopping environments”.
