Footfall grew in April yet outlook remains 'tough'

April saw a rise in footfall across UK's high streets and shopping centres, shows latest BRC-Sensormatic IQ data released on Friday (5).

Overall, footfall increased by 5.3 per cent in April, 1.5 percentage points worse than March and worse than the 3-month average increase of 7.0 per cent.

High Street footfall increased by 10.5 per cent in April, 1.9 percentage points better than last month's rate but worse than the 3-month average rise of 13.4 per cent. Retail Parks saw footfall decrease by 6.9 per cent while shopping centre footfall increased by 7.9 per cent in April(YoY).

England saw the highest increase in footfall of all nations at 9.7 per cent, followed by Scotland at 7.7 per cent and Wales at 3.0 per cent. Northern Ireland saw the lowest increase at 2.9 per cent.

Compared to pre-pandemic levels, total UK Footfall decreased by 16.2 per cent, high streets by 21.2 per cent, retail parks lower by 6.1 per cent, and Shopping Centres by 18.2 per cent.

Reacting to the figures, Helen Dickinson, Chief Executive of the British Retail Consortium, said that footfall saw year on year improvement mainly in High Streets and Shopping Centres, which had been the most affected during the pandemic, and still have the furthest to catch up.

"Retail footfall is finding a new balance, as the rise in online shopping and spread of hybrid working, has changed consumer shopping habits. As a result, while we expect footfall to continue to improve, it may never reach the levels seen prior to the pandemic.

“There is good cause for optimism in the coming month, as the Coronation is expected to bring a surge in footfall over the bank holiday, as shoppers head out to the shops ahead of this historic event. Government should capitalise on the uptick in global tourism, finding ways to boost the UK’s position as a top destination for international shoppers. The UK now stands alone as the only major European economy without a VAT-free shopping scheme, dissuading many potential shoppers from visiting.”

Andy Sumpter, Retail Consultant EMEA for Sensormatic Solutions, commented that footfall saw growth again in April, even if more modest than in the first quarter despite a continuing cost of living crisis and inflation in most categories, not least food.

"With April marking a year on from the end of the last remaining covid restrictions across the UK, as well as the first energy price cap increase, remarkably, retailers are starting to see some stability.

"This can partially be attributed to consumers adjusting to the times by shopping down or shopping more carefully. As we became used to “living with covid”, consumers have now lived with higher prices for over a year, meaning shopping habits are beginning to stabilise. Stability brings predictability and predictability brings retailers the confidence to plan. There is also positive news from some retailers, with HMV making a much-anticipated return to Oxford Street after a four-year hiatus, and M&S announcing it is investing £12.5 million into developing its London store portfolio this year.