UK footfall in October 2024 saw a year-on-year decline of 1.1%, following a 3.3% rise in September.
- High street footfall decreased by 3.6%, while shopping center visits fell by 1.6%.
- Retail parks proved resilient with a 4.8% increase, marking their third consecutive month of growth.
- Data was gathered from various retail locations including outlets, travel hubs, and standalone sites.
- Positive performances were noted in northern cities like Leeds and Liverpool, despite broader declines.
The UK experienced a 1.1% reduction in footfall this October compared to the same period last year. This downturn follows a 3.3% increase in September, illustrating a significant shift in consumer movement patterns. The data, covering the four weeks from September 29 to October 26, was collected by the British Retail Consortium (BRC) in partnership with consultants Sensormatic. This period demonstrated a varied performance across different types of retail environments.
High street areas witnessed a notable 3.6% drop in footfall, contrasting with the previous month’s 0.9% rise. Similarly, shopping centers faced a 1.6% decline compared to October of the previous year, down from a 2.3% increase seen in September. This trend indicates changing consumer preferences or potential external factors affecting shopping habits.
Interestingly, retail parks emerged as the only category showing growth, with a 4.8% year-on-year increase, though this was still a decline from a 7.3% rise in September. This growth highlights retail parks as attractive destinations for shoppers, perhaps due to their convenience and availability of parking.
The data encompassed footfall across several retail contexts, including traditional outlets, travel hub locations, and free-standing locales such as garden centers. Notably, northern towns like Leeds and Liverpool reported positive visitor numbers, showcasing regional variation against the overall declining trend.
Helen Dickinson, CEO of the BRC, commented on these findings, stressing the impact of changing consumer behaviors and the importance of vibrant retail spaces. “October’s footfall figures showed a marginal decline compared to last year, primarily due to half-term moving out of the comparison. Despite the decline, retail parks continued to attract shoppers, as they saw positive footfall growth for the third consecutive month.” Dickinson highlighted the broader significance of bustling high streets as vital components of local economies and community life.
Despite the overall footfall decline, retail parks and northern town centers offered some resilience amid shifting consumer trends.
