Storms and soaring costs send UK retail footfall sliding in October

Total UK footfall was down 4.7% year-on-year in October, the British Retail Consortium and Sensormatic say

Consumer footfall dropped sharply in October as a combination of stormy weather and mounting household financial pressures kept shoppers away, new figures reveal.

Total UK footfall declined 4.7% year-on-year in October, worsening from a 2.9% drop recorded in September, according to data from the British Retail Consortium (BRC) and Sensormatic.

High streets bore the brunt of the downturn, with visits falling 5.2% year-on-year, deteriorating from a 3% decline in September.

Retail park footfall slipped by 3.6%, while shopping centres recorded a 4.1% drop compared with the same period last year.

Overall footfall was down 3.1% in Northern Ireland, 4.3% in Scotland, 4.6% in England and by 6.3% in Wales.

BRC chief executive Helen Dickinson said: “Footfall fell sharply in every part of the UK in October.

“Low consumer confidence was likely a key factor in the decline in visitors, as households navigated rising inflation and high energy costs.

“Of all destinations, high streets were hit the hardest, as the stormy weather led many consumers to stay home or use locations with easy parking options.

“With a new Government high street strategy, the rejuvenation of our shopping destinations is a clear priority.

“To do this, we must make them safe for both shoppers and retail staff. While there are positive signs that the police are cracking down on organised crime and repeat offenders, it is vital that the Government grants the police the powers promised in the Crime and Policing Act.

“The commencement of this legislation would scrap the £200 threshold for low-level theft and give workers the protections they need, making our high streets safer for all.”

Andy Sumpter, head of consulting and analytics at Sensormatic, said: ” Halloween delivered a brief seasonal uplift, but beyond that, retailers found little to celebrate.

“The month’s performance suggests that shoppers are continuing to prioritise essential spending, leaving discretionary retail expenditure under pressure despite the arrival of the Golden Quarter.

“Attention now turns squarely towards the Black Friday period, which increasingly looks like a critical opportunity to inject some momentum into a Golden Quarter that has so far struggled to live up to its name.”