UK Retail Footfall Fell 3.4 Percent in June

Total UK footfall fell 3.4 percent year on year in June, according to British Retail Consortium-Sensormatic data. The high street posted the steepest decline at 6.2 percent, while shopping centres dropped 2.5 percent and retail parks fell 0.3 percent.

Scotland recorded the only national increase, rising 1.7 percent. Northern Ireland, Wales and England each posted declines of 0.9 percent, 2.3 percent and 3 percent respectively.

Air-conditioned shopping centres and retail parks showed greater resilience than open high streets. The data indicate that temperature and location influenced visitor patterns during the month.

BRC chief executive Helen Dickinson said the heatwave may have affected footfall but retailers face a bigger challenge from rising costs. She added that higher taxes and regulatory burdens are making it harder to invest, create jobs and grow. Andy Sumpter, a retail consultant for Sensormatic, said total visits remained under pressure and the year-to-date figure stood at minus 3.3 percent at the halfway point.

He noted that record heat and travel disruption in the South made shopping trips less appealing.