Retail footfall across the UK fell sharply in September as consumers tightened spending ahead of the Chancellor’s November Budget and unsettled weather deterred shoppers.
Total footfall declined by 1.8% year-on-year, according to the latest BRC-Sensormatic IQ Footfall Monitor, marking a reversal from August’s softer 0.4% drop.
The data shows that every part of the UK and all retail formats – high streets, shopping centres and retail parks – experienced lower visitor numbers over the five-week period to 4 October.
High streets saw the steepest decline, down 2.5% year-on-year after registering modest growth in August, while shopping centre footfall fell 2.0%. Retail parks proved the most resilient, with visits down 0.8%. Regionally, Wales recorded the sharpest drop at 2.5%, followed by Scotland at 2.3%, England at 1.8% and Northern Ireland at 0.5%.
FRAGILE CONSUMER CONFIDENCE
The slowdown reflects a combination of fragile consumer confidence, cost-of-living pressures and uncertainty surrounding potential tax measures in the forthcoming Budget.
The figures also capture the impact of London Tube strikes, heavy rainfall in early September and Storm Amy at the end of the month – all of which disrupted shopping trips and tourist activity.
Helen Dickinson, Chief Executive of the British Retail Consortium, says: “Low consumer confidence ahead of a potential tax-rising Budget kept many shoppers away from retail locations in September.
“Tube strikes in London, heavy rainfall in the first half of September and Storm Amy towards the end of the month exacerbated the decline. While August saw stronger growth in High Street footfall, September saw High Streets back as the weakest performer across all retail locations.
“For the first time since June, all three retail destinations recorded year on year declines in shopper traffic.”
EMPLOYMENT COSTS
She adds: “Retailers’ ability to invest in local communities and High Streets has been hampered by last year’s Budget, which added £5 billion in employment costs to the industry, in addition to a new packaging tax.
“For retailers to invest in shopping destinations that will entice shoppers back, the government-imposed cost burdens holding back that investment must be lifted.
“The upcoming Budget is the moment for the Chancellor to do just that, deliver the Labour manifesto commitment of a meaningful reduction in business rates for the industry and ensure no shop pays more in the process.”
FALTERING FOOTFALL
Andy Sumpter, Retail Consultant EMEA for Sensormatic, adds: “September saw footfall falter once more, with total UK retail visits down -1.8% year-on-year.
“While Retail Parks continued to show resilience at -0.8%, High Streets and Shopping Centres dipped -2.5% and -2.0% respectively.
“The month began with a modest uplift, driven by Back-to-School shopping, but momentum was quickly disrupted. London’s Tube strikes mid-month and Storm Amy at the end brought widespread disruption, impacting shopper activity nationwide.
“These events compounded an already cautious consumer mood, with many still navigating cost pressures and economic uncertainty. Retailers will now be hoping that September’s slowdown was less a sign of retreat, and more a pause for thought.
“As we move into Q4, the opportunity lies in converting that caution into confidence – especially for those who can deliver value, experience, and convenience in equal measure. While not easy, it is essential.”
