UK shop customer numbers held steady in August despite earlier unrest, BRC reports.
- Footfall data showed a slight decrease of 0.4% year-on-year.
- Northern Ireland and Scotland witnessed an increase, bucking the trend.
- High streets need government support to improve footfall and growth.
- August saw the highest shopper traffic since July 2023, but challenges remain.
In August, the British Retail Consortium (BRC) reported that shopper numbers in UK stores were stable despite the disruptions caused by earlier riots. The data indicated a modest 0.4% decrease in overall footfall compared to the previous year, demonstrating resilience amid challenging circumstances.
Specific regions such as Northern Ireland and Scotland defied the negative trend, experiencing increases of 1.4% and 0.7%, respectively. This contrasted with a general decline observed elsewhere, highlighting regional variances in retail performance.
Retail parks outperformed other shopping destinations with a 2.6% increase in footfall. High streets showed a minor decline of 0.3%, performing better than shopping centers, which saw a more substantial decrease of 1.8%. Analysts cautiously welcomed these trends, noting potential in shifting consumer habits.
Retail Consultant Andy Sumpter commented that the easing of price inflation and favorable weather contributed to increased consumer activity in the latter half of August. This period also benefited from school and bank holiday shopping, suggesting a partial recovery in shopper traffic.
BRC’s Helen Dickinson emphasized the urgency for government intervention to bolster high streets. She pointed out that although there was an improvement from July, the year-on-year changes remained in negative territory, pressing the need for policy action to rejuvenate retail landscapes.
The upcoming government budget presents an opportunity to address the pressing issues of business rates, which hinder retail investment and lead to numerous store closures. Such measures are crucial for reversing the decline of high streets across the UK.
Continued efforts and strategic government action are essential for revitalizing the UK’s retail landscape and supporting growth.
