Retail Footfall Struggles Despite Cooler Weather: A Call for Support
By Editor • September 3, 2026 • 1 min read
Despite a slight uptick in shopper visits following a sweltering July, the UK retail sector continues to face challenges, with overall footfall down by 1.7% year-on-year in August, according to recent data from the British Retail Consortium (BRC) and Sensormatic.
High streets experienced a notable decline of 3.1% compared to the previous year, although this marks an improvement from July's 3.8% drop as consumers shied away during the heatwave. Conversely, retail parks showed resilience with a 1% increase in visits, while shopping centres saw a minor dip of 0.5% over the same period.
Geographical Trends in Retail Footfall
The decline in footfall was not uniform across the UK. England recorded a 2.1% decrease, Wales saw a 1.3% drop, and Scotland experienced a minimal decline of 0.1%. However, Northern Ireland bucked the trend with a 2.8% increase in shopper visits, highlighting regional variations in consumer behavior.
Industry Voices Call for Action
BRC chief executive Helen Dickinson emphasized the need for government support, stating, “Retailers don’t need warm words, they need lower costs.” With the Chancellor’s budget approaching, Dickinson urged for measures addressing business rates and energy costs to help stabilize the sector. Andy Sumpter from Sensormatic echoed these sentiments, noting that while footfall figures showed a modest improvement from previous months, the retail landscape remains under significant pressure.
Source: www.independent.co.uk
