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Total UK footfall has increased by 2.4% in March compared with the previous year, according to the latest data from the British Retail Consortium (BRC) and Sensormatic.
It comes as the figures were “significantly” impacted by the timing of Easter, which fell in March this year but occurred in April during 2025.
The 2.4% increase also follows a 4.7% decline recorded in February, and marks the first positive month for retail traffic in nearly a year.
All retail locations saw growth, with shopping centre footfall rising 2.6%, retail parks up 2.5%, and high streets increasing by 2%.
In addition, regional data showed growth across all nations, with Northern Ireland recording the largest increase at 4.9% and Wales the lowest at 1.6%. Footfall in Scotland and England rose by 3.2% and 2.3% respectively during the five weeks to 4 April.
Industry analysts suggest that without the holiday uplift, monthly performance would likely have remained in negative territory due to ongoing economic pressures. Rising fuel prices and geopolitical uncertainty in the Middle East continue to affect consumer confidence and discretionary spending.
Helen Dickinson, chief executive of the BRC, said: “With Easter and the school holidays falling earlier this year, retailers were expecting a stronger boost to footfall than March delivered. Shopping centres outperformed other locations, and cities like Manchester continued to do well, but overall growth fell short of expectations. Warmer weather might help sustain footfall in the months ahead, but without an Easter uplift in April, momentum is far from guaranteed.
“Looking ahead, the conflict in the Middle East is weighing heavily on both retailer and consumer confidence. The government can play its part supporting households by easing pressures created by domestic policy costs. Cutting these costs would free up retailers to invest more in value, experience and their in-store offer.”
