Retail footfall down 4.5% in four weeks to 23 November
Footfall in UK retail destinations declined by 4.5% year-on-year in the four weeks to 23 November due to the combined effect of a challenging trading environment, Storm Bert and a later Black Friday this year.
While footfall dropped by 6.1 % in shopping centres, the number of visits to highs streets and retail parks fell by 3.7% and 1.1% respectively,
Helen Dickinson, chief executive of the British Retail Consortium, said: “Footfall took a disappointing tumble in November, as a later-than-usual Black Friday and low consumer confidence meant customers were hesitant to hit the shops.
“Some northern cities also suffered particularly badly due to Storm Bert, which caused travel disruption towards the end of the month.
“Retailers remain hopeful that the Black Friday and Christmas sales will help to turn around the declining footfall seen through most of 2024, crucial as we enter the “golden quarter.”
Footfall was down year-on-year for all four nations, with Northern Ireland decreasing by 2.8%, England by 4.2%, Scotland by 6.8%, and Wales by 7.1%.
Dickinson added: “New costs bearing down on retailers in 2025, including from rises in Employer National Insurance, National Living Wage, and packaging taxes, means investment in jobs, stores, and high streets will likely be curtailed.
“If the Government wishes to bolster footfall and the growth and investment that would come with it, it must help retailers mitigate the impact of the £7 billion additional costs they face from next year.”
