UK retail footfall remained below last year’s levels in May, although the rate of decline eased considerably as consumers returned to the shops following a difficult April.
According to the latest BRC-Sensormatic Footfall Monitor, total UK footfall fell by 2.6% year-on-year during May, a marked improvement on the 10.7% decline recorded in April.
All retail destinations continued to see fewer visitors than a year ago, although performance improved across the board. High street footfall fell by 1.5%, compared with a 9.2% drop in April, while retail parks saw a modest decline of 0.5%. Shopping centres recorded a 2.4% fall.
Regional performance was mixed, with Scotland the only nation to record growth, posting a 0.4% increase in footfall. Northern Ireland saw a 1.0% decline, while England recorded a 3.0% fall. Wales experienced the weakest performance, with footfall down 5.0%.
RECORD TEMPERATURES
The figures suggest retailers benefited from improved weather conditions earlier in the month, although record temperatures towards the end of May encouraged consumers to spend more time outdoors and away from traditional retail destinations.
Helen Dickinson, Chief Executive of the British Retail Consortium, says: “While total UK footfall remained down on last year, it was a significant improvement on April’s double-digit drop.
“While the warmer weather initially encouraged more people to the shops, the record-breaking temperatures at the end of the month resulted in a sharp decline in footfall, particularly at Shopping Centres and Retail Parks.
“Only High Streets bucked the trend, as those who were out and about took the opportunity to pop into their local stores.”
MIDDLE EAST ANXIETY
She adds: “Households remain anxious about the long-term impact of the Iran conflict and inflation and expect prices to rise over the year. By tackling the inflationary pressures on the horizon, Government can help rebuild consumer confidence, ultimately supporting footfall.
“The first priority must be to address non-commodity charges which are pushing up energy costs to an unsustainable level. The window for Government to act is narrowing, and any delay will only harm retailers and their customers.”
The data adds to growing evidence that consumer confidence remains fragile despite signs of resilience across parts of the retail sector.
UNDER PRESSURE
Andy Sumpter, Retail Consultant EMEA for Sensormatic, says: “May showed a modest improvement on April’s bleak performance, but retail footfall remains under pressure.
“While brighter weather earlier in the month may have encouraged some shoppers back out, the late May heatwave appears to have done the opposite in the final week.
“Consumer confidence may be edging up slightly, but it remains fragile, with geopolitical uncertainty continuing to weigh on discretionary spend.”
