According to BRC-Sensormatic IQ data, total UK footfall decreased by -13.1% in April (Yo3Y), a 2.3 percentage point improvement from March. This was ahead of France (-23.4%), Germany (-27.6%) and Italy (-36.4%).
Footfall on UK high streets declined by -17.2%, retail parks saw footfall decrease by -4.0%, and shopping centre footfall declined by -27.6% (all Yo3Y).
Northern Ireland again saw the shallowest footfall decline of all nations at -11.7%, followed by England at -12.7% and Wales at -13.8%. Scotland again saw the steepest decline, at -14.8%.
Helen Dickinson OBE, chief executive of the British Retail Consortium (BRC), says: “April saw another encouraging improvement to UK footfall, as the spring sunshine and Easter festivities brought consumers back to stores. After a slow start for footfall in April, as the weather improved, customers were more inclined to visit their favourite shopping destinations. Retail parks and shopping centres experienced the biggest improvement to footfall, as the public visited locations with the largest mix of shops to scope out the best deals."
Andy Sumpter, retail consultant EMEA for Sensormatic Solutions, comments: “With total UK footfall recovering to its highest point this year compared to pre-pandemic levels, the UK leads the way across the G7 nations in terms of returning in-store shopper traffic. At face value, this is all positive and welcome news for retailers as the UK footfall recovery continues, however, it comes with a caveat that this only captures store visits, rather than reflecting what’s being rung through the tills.
"As UK shoppers feel the pinch of the rising cost of living and face downward pressures on their disposable incomes, conversions and basket sizes risk being reduced, so retailers – especially non-discounters or value brands – will need to work even harder to earn share of wallet and shopper loyalty in-store.”
