Footfall down 1.5% in June
UK footfall was 1.5% lower in June than in the same month last year. The decline follows a 1% fall in May.
Figures released by the British Retail Consortium and Springboard in their monthly footfall monitor reveal that shopping centres and high streets saw declines of 2.4% and 2.8% respectively.
Footfall in retail parks fared the best with a 2.8% increase year-on-year, which was an improvement on the 1.4% rise seen in May.
BRC director general, Helen Dickinson, said: “Retail parks have seen another increase in shopper numbers this month – which is good news for the retailers operating in these areas. However, the fundamental shift in the way people are shopping seems to be driving the sustained reduction in shopper numbers to both high streets and shopping centres.
“This is a clear demonstration that the re-invention of the high street is far from complete. The process of creating multi-use destinations in the heart of our towns and cities needs to continue in earnest if people are going to be drawn back to the high street. This has happened in some areas, but the energy and effort behind sharing best practice needs to be redoubled.”
All regions in England saw a drop in footfall as did Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland. The most notable declines were in Northern Ireland and Wales where footfall fell by 3.5% and 3% respectively.
Diane Wehrle, marketing and insights director at Springboard, said: “The drop in footfall in high streets of 2.8% and in shopping centres of 2.4% is undoubtedly a function of the continuing dilution of shopper numbers through online trading. At the same time, however, the rise in footfall of 2.8% in retail parks in June – the 18th successive month in which footfall has increased – is clear evidence that it is still possible to drive up the volume of customers to bricks and mortar stores, albeit in part this is a function of owner driven improvements in their quality and offer.”
