Foot traffic in UK retail spots saw a significant drop of 4.5% in November.
- The decline was a stark difference from October, with shopping centers hit hardest.
- All four nations in the UK experienced drops, with Wales observing the largest decrease.
- The timing of Black Friday sales impacted the year-on-year comparative figures.
- Adverse weather conditions further affected the northern areas, keeping shoppers at bay.
In November 2024, UK retail foot traffic, or footfall, suffered a notable decrease of 4.5% year-on-year, according to data from the British Retail Consortium (BRC) and Sensormatic High Street. This marks a significant shift from the previous month, where footfall had only declined by 1.1%. The decline in November was evident across various segments of retail, with shopping centers experiencing a decrease of 6.1%, compared to a smaller 1.1% drop in October, and retail parks seeing a reduction to 1.1% from a previously positive trajectory.
The footfall decrease was uniform across all regions in the UK. Wales recorded the most significant drop, with numbers falling by 7.1%. Scotland wasn’t far behind with a 6.8% decrease, while England and Northern Ireland saw reductions of 4.2% and 2.8% respectively. These figures highlight a substantial drop in consumer visits to retail locations across the board.
A key factor impacting these figures was the timing of this year’s Black Friday sales. Unlike the previous year, this year’s sales occurred later, on November 29th, missing inclusion in the November statistics. This difference skewed the year-on-year comparison, making the decline appear more pronounced.
Weather conditions also played a role in diminishing foot traffic, particularly in the northern UK. The arrival of Storm Bert brought about travel disruptions, further discouraging shoppers from venturing out. Helen Dickinson, CEO of the BRC, mentioned that the delayed Black Friday and wavering consumer confidence were significant drivers of this downward trend.
Andy Sumpter, retail consultant EMEA for Sensormatic, noted the mood among retailers, pointing out that many had hoped November would provide early insights into Christmas trading. He described the ongoing volatility in consumer confidence as a challenge for retailers, affecting their expectations for the crucial pre-Christmas period.
The convergence of delayed sales events and adverse weather resulted in a challenging November for UK retail footfall.
