Recent data shows a decline in UK footfall for October, contrasting with a rise in September.
- High street footfall saw a 3.6% decrease, after a previous increase of 0.9%.
- Shopping centres experienced a 1.6% year-on-year drop, reversing September’s 2.3% rise.
- Retail parks were an exception, showing a 4.8% increase, although down from 7.3%.
- Northern towns like Leeds and Liverpool reported positive footfall figures.
October’s footfall figures revealed a noticeable decline, both year-on-year and compared to September’s numbers. Overall, UK footfall decreased by 1.1% for October, indicating a shift in consumer behaviour.
In the high street sector, there was a significant 3.6% drop in footfall, contrasting with a modest increase of 0.9% the previous month. This suggests a potential reduction in consumer interest or changes in shopping patterns during this period.
Shopping centres also faced a decline, with footfall decreasing by 1.6% compared to the same month last year. This is notable given September’s encouraging 2.3% growth, highlighting a sudden change in consumer dynamics.
However, retail parks managed to buck the trend, experiencing a healthy 4.8% increase in footfall. Despite this positive outcome, it is still below the 7.3% increase recorded in September, indicating a milder performance.
The data, compiled by the British Retail Consortium and Sensormatic, reflects shopper numbers across various retail environments, including high streets, shopping centres, and retail parks. It is also important to note the regional variations, with areas in Northern England such as Leeds and Liverpool seeing better footfall performance, according to Helen Dickinson, CEO of the BRC.
The October footfall data indicates mixed outcomes across different retail sectors, with retail parks showing resilience amid overall declines.
