Shopper numbers improve in October

Total UK Footfall in October has seen a 3.2 percentage point improvement from September, with all retail locations witnessing rise month on month bolstered by half term and Halloween, the latest data has shown.

While the total footfall decreased by 13.7 per cent in October when compared to the same period in 2019, this was above the 3-month average decline of 16.0 per cent, according to the BRC- Sensormatic IQ Footfall Monitor.

In fact, this was ahead of major UK economies, with Spain (-19.8 per cent), Germany (-26.1 per cent), Italy (-34.6 per cent) and France (-34.9 per cent) seeing steep declines in October from 2019.

“It was great to see the UK leading the way for footfall in October among the major European economies. This gives more retailers a reason to be hopeful as we enter the crucial golden quarter, with many embracing both digital and physical connections with their customers, and indicates that retail is playing a key part in the economic recovery,” commented Helen Dickinson, chief executive of British Retail Consortium (BRC).

Footfall in retail parks almost reached its pre-pandemic level with their attractive offer of larger stores and free parking. The location saw footfall decrease by 0.4 per cent Yo2Y, 1.2 percentage points above last month's rate and above the 3-month average decline of 1.4 per cent.

Footfall on High Streets declined by 18.3 per cent in October (Yo2Y), 4.3 percentage points above last month's rate and above the 3-month average decline of 21.8 per cent.

Shopping Centre footfall declined by 33.6 per cent, 2.6 percentage points above last month's rate and above the 3-month average decline of 34.3 per cent.

Northern Ireland saw the shallowest footfall decline of all regions at -10.8 per cent, followed by Wales at -13.1 per cent and England at -13.7 per cent. For the third consecutive month, Scotland saw the deepest decline at -17.0 per cent.

While many UK cities have seen a significant rise in footfall in recent months, the largest cities – London, Birmingham and Glasgow – continue to lag behind other areas.

“Lower tourism levels, more working from home and lower usage of public transport due to Covid have disproportionately affected these cities as a result, as well as holding back shopping in city centres across the UK,” Dickinson said.

Andy Sumpter, Retail Consultant EMEA for Sensormatic Solutions, commented that some of the lift in footfall performance may also be attributed to early Christmas spend, as “retailers brought forward Christmas range launches to help smooth out supply chain bumps ahead of the peak trading period and consumers also indicated they would shop earlier for the festive season this year.”