Covering the five weeks 31 May - 05 July 2026
According to BRC-Sensormatic data:
-
Total UK footfall decreased by 3.4% in June
(YoY), down from -2.6% in
May.
-
High Street footfall decreased by 6.2% in June
(YoY), down from -1.5% in May.
-
Retail Park footfall decreased by 0.3% in June
(YoY), up from -0.5% in May.
-
Shopping Centre footfall decreased by 2.5% in
June (YoY), down from -2.4% in May.
- Footfall rose by 1.7% (YoY) in Scotland,
while all other nations experienced declines. Footfall fell by
0.9% in Northern Ireland, 2.3% in
Wales, and 3.0% in England,
which saw the largest decrease.
Helen Dickinson, Chief Executive of the British Retail
Consortium, said:
Footfall dropped in June as the record heatwave kept many
shoppers indoors. High streets saw the sharpest declines, while
air-conditioned shopping centres and retail parks proved more
resilient. While London and the South East where temperatures
were highest registered the biggest decline, other regions
performed markedly better. Scotland saw footfall rise, buoyed by
cooler weather and the continued gradual opening of Glasgow City
Centre after March's devastating Union Corner fire.
The heatwave may have affected footfall, but retailers face a
bigger challenge: rising costs. Businesses are working hard to
deliver value for customers, yet higher taxes and regulatory
burdens are making it harder to invest, create jobs and grow.
Government action on business rates and energy costs would help
unlock investment to revive our local communities.
Andy Sumpter, Retail Consultant EMEA for Sensormatic,
commented:
June saw UK retail footfall remain under pressure, with total
visits down 3.4% year-on-year, bringing the year-to-date
figure down to -3.3% at the halfway point. While the
overall trend remains subdued, it continues to reflect a cautious
consumer who is making fewer, more considered trips.
Exceptionally high temperatures are likely to have influenced
behaviour, particularly in the South, where record heat and
travel disruption made shopping trips less appealing. At the same
time, consumer confidence is improving slightly but remains low,
with wider uncertainty continuing to weigh on discretionary
spend. This is reflected in shopping patterns, with retail
footfall at Shopping Centres down 2.5%, while overall visits
to Shopping Centres themselves edged up 0.6%, suggesting
consumers are still visiting destinations, but engaging more
selectively once there.
While the hopes of some of the nation may be for football to come
home, footfall appears to have stayed there at
times. With key matches drawing attention - and occasionally
keeping shoppers away - retail teams will be hoping that as the
tournament moves on, consumers return in force. As we move into
H2, the focus remains on converting more deliberate visits into
meaningful spend.
MONTHLY TOTAL UK RETAIL FOOTFALL (% CHANGE YOY)
UK FOOTFALL BY LOCATION (% CHANGE YOY)
TOTAL FOOTFALL BY NATION AND REGION
TOTAL FOOTFALL BY CITY
-ENDS-
2026 Monitor dates can be found here: Insight
Calendar
Methodology:
All figures are calculated using precise shopper numbers entering
retail stores across the UK, whichever destination they are
located.
While High Streets, Shopping Centres and Retail Parks are the
main components of the Total Footfall, there are also additional
categories not included as separate indices. These include
outlets, travel hub locations, and free-standing locations such
as garden centres.
