UK footfall comes to a standstill as rain dampens shoppers’ spirits

Footfall on UK high streets declined by 34.6% in July (Yo2Y), 1.2 percentage points below June’s rate and below the three month average decline of 34.1%, according to research from BRC and Sensormatic Solutions.

Retail parks and shopping centres also saw Yo2Y decreases (15% and 38.4% respectively).

Helen Dickinson, Chief Executive at British Retail Consortium, says: “After improvements in footfall in the early part of 2021, the situation has plateaued with little change in footfall levels for a third month in a row.”

The turbulent British weather, with initial heatwaves giving over to torrential rain, appears to have dampened the mood for shopping in July.

However, the last week of the month offered a glimmer of hope for retailers as the easing of restrictions lead to the best weekly performance of 2021. The hope is that the rise of Covid vaccinations and falling case numbers boosts consumer confidence.

“With the number of empty shopfronts still rising in many parts of the country, it is vital we rebuild our local communities to integrate leisure, retail, services, and homes,” says Dickinson.

“For this to be successful, government must fulfil their commitment to alleviate the unsustainable cost burden placed on retailers by the broken rates system in their upcoming business rates review.”

“This will allow retailers to continue invest in their physical and digital offerings and provide communities with vibrant spaces to visit, work and shop.”

Andy Sumpter, Retail Consultant EMEA at Sensormatic Solutions, comments: “Even the hotly debated ‘Freedom Day’ failed to significantly shift the dial on shopper counts, perhaps losing some of its ‘shine’ to the Euro’s which brought forward shopping and socialising trips to earlier in the month.”

“And in a tale of two halves, Freedom Day may have split consumer confidence, with those revelling in newfound freedoms increasing the frequency of their shopping trips, while those concerned about the relaxation of restrictions on social distancing and mask wearing becoming more inclined to stay away.”