According to BRC-Sensormatic data, total UK retail footfall decreased by 0.6% YoY in January, up from -2.9% in December.
High street footfall decreased by 1.9% YoY (down from -0.9% in December), retail park footfall increased by 1.1% (up from -2.5% in December), and shopping centre footfall decreased by 0.8% (up from -5.1% in December).
Scotland recorded the strongest YoY growth in footfall, up 5.1%, with Northern Ireland also seeing strong growth of 3.8%. By contrast, footfall fell across the rest of the UK, falling by 1.4% in England and dropping more sharply in Wales, which recorded the largest decline at 2.8% when compared to last year.
Helen Dickinson, chief executive of the British Retail Consortium (BRC), says: “Although footfall edged down in January compared to a year earlier, it was much better than the disappointing Christmas period. The best-performing cities were in the North, where shopper traffic was hit badly by severe storms last year, and retail parks also recorded positive growth, as customers made the most of free parking to shop in person during the January sales.
“An uptick in consumer confidence and possible signs of a footfall recovery offer some cautious optimism for some spring like green shoots. Government can enable retailers to build on this momentum by incentivising, rather than inhibiting, investment in stores and colleagues across the country. Upcoming legislation, including the Employment Rights Act, must support the long-term growth agenda, helping create the virtuous circle of jobs, investment in local communities, and footfall growth.”
Andy Sumpter, retail consultant EMEA for Sensormatic, adds: “January offered a welcome reset for UK retail, with footfall recording its best performance in five months. Shopper traffic remained in negative territory, but the dial moved in the right direction, marking a clear improvement on December and the wider Golden Quarter. Some of this uplift will have been driven by savvier spending behaviours, as consumers took advantage of New Year promotions and sought out value after a stretched festive period.
“Storm Goretti, however, put a dampener on activity in parts of the month, disrupting travel and suppressing visits – a reminder that weather can play an outsized role in shaping shopper behaviour.
“Still, January shows that momentum is possible. As retailers look to build on a steadier start to the year, those who can deliver value, experience and convenience will be best placed to turn tentative steps into returning footfall. After a long nine months of negative footfall, and a near-flat January, some retailers will be brave enough to hope for growth next month.”
