Tough times but UK bricks and mortar stores still in the game

UK retailers are facing a sustained drop in footfall, with numbers of visitors down over 10% in the last seven years alone, according to research by the BRC and Springboard.

Footfall declined by 1.7% in September, compared to the same point last year when it dropped by 1.7%. With Brexit looming, many consumers are holding off from all but essential purchases, observes Helen Dickinson, Chief Executive at British Retail Consortium. High streets and shopping centres were hit hardest with retail parks faring slightly better as they continue to entice shoppers with their varied consumer offering.

“The ongoing transformation of the retail industry is putting increasing pressure on retailers, which is now compounded by the spectre of a no deal Brexit on 31st October,” Dickinson says. “If the government wants to support consumers and retailers they should make sure they take no deal off the table, while also addressing the public policy costs such as business rates, that prevent shops from investing in their retail offering.”

Diane Wehrle, Springboard Marketing and Insights Director, comments: “Given the monumental changes that have occurred in our retail trading landscape over the past decade, it is unsurprising that the long-term footfall trend is a downward one. However, with 80% of spend remaining in-store there is still much for bricks and mortar stores to play for in Q4 of 2019, which of course includes the all-important festive trading period.”