According to BRC-Sensormatic data, October marked the sixth month of falling retail footfall, with total UK footfall decreasing by 0.7% YoY, up from -1.8% in September.
High street footfall increased by 0.6% YoY, retail park footfall decreased by 0.5% and shopping centre footfall decreased by 0.9%.
Footfall in Wales increased by 0.6% YoY, while all other nations experienced a decline. Scotland fell by 0.1%, Northern Ireland by 0.2%, and England saw the largest fall, at 0.9%.
Helen Dickinson, chief executive of the British Retail Consortium (BRC), says: “While overall footfall fell for the sixth consecutive month, there was some good news on high streets, which saw positive shopper traffic after a disappointing September. With consumer confidence remaining weak ahead of the possibility of a tax-raising Budget, many households have stayed away from shopping centres and retail parks. However, a Friday Halloween brought some welcome relief, delivering a late-month boost for retailers."
Andy Sumpter, retail consultant EMEA for Sensormatic, comments: “Footfall across UK retail destinations fell 0.7% YoY in October, softening from September’s 1.8% drop but still marking a decline on last October’s -1.1%.
"Halloween gave retailers a brief treat, with footfall rising on the day, but overall figures suggest shoppers remain cautious. In response, some retailers have brought forward discounting to tempt early spend, hoping to capture demand ahead of Black Friday and the festive peak. The Autumn Statement also looms, with hopes for support to ease cost pressures.
“Inflation, though cooling, continues to weigh on sentiment, and price-conscious consumers are increasingly shopping around for value. Shoppers appear to be ‘spooked’ by ongoing economic uncertainty, delaying discretionary purchases and focusing on essentials. October’s slight improvement may hint at early seasonal activity, but retailers will be watching closely, hoping to see momentum build in November.”
