BRC: Footfall growth slows as high streets and shopping centres outperform retail parks

Covering the four weeks 29 January – 25 February 2023

According to BRC-Sensormatic IQ data: 

• Total UK footfall increased by 10.4% in February (YoY), 2.1 percentage points worse than January and worse than the 3-month average increase of 12.8%.
  
  
  • High Street footfall increased by 17.8% in February (YoY), 2.4 percentage points worse than last month's rate and worse than the 3-month average rise of 18.4%.
    
    
  • Retail Parks saw footfall decrease by 3.3% in February (YoY), 0.2 percentage points better than last month's rate but the same as the 3-month average decline of 3.3%.
    
    
  • Shopping Centre footfall increased by 11.7% in February (YoY), 0.7 percentage points worse than last month's rate but marginally better than the 3-month average rise of 11.3%.
    
    
• Wales saw the highest increase in footfall of all nations at 14.9%, followed by Scotland at 14.5% and Northern Ireland at 12.7%. England saw the lowest increase at 11.8%.
  
  
• Compared to pre-pandemic levels (Yo4Y), Total Footfall was 8.8% lower; High Streets by 7.7%, Retail Parks decreased by 2.7%, and Shopping Centres by 23.3%.

Helen Dickinson, Chief Executive of the British Retail Consortium, said:

“Growth in footfall slowed this month after the rush of Christmas shopping and January sales. Some people are making fewer visits as the cost of living continues to bear down ahead of the April energy price rise. Despite this, high streets continue to show the biggest improvement compared to last year, when concerns around Covid kept people away from town and city centres. Footfall at retail parks suffered as customers switched back to shopping centres and high streets, which are being buoyed by returns of the office commute.

“Consumer demand remains fragile, owing to the ongoing cost of living crisis and weak consumer confidence. Many retailers are investing in their store experience, and all continue to support customers with the cost of living. But it is vital that Government does not burden the retail industry with additional regulatory costs that hinder investment.”

Andy Sumpter, Retail Consultant EMEA for Sensormatic Solutions, commented:

“Facing multidirectional headwinds – from the long shadow cast by covid to the ongoing consumer caution caused by the rising cost-of-living – we are, at least, starting to see footfall normalising. 

“While the fluctuations in footfall are now less volatile, creating a new baseline against which to benchmark High Street performance, it doesn’t mean the footfall recovery has yet fully turned a corner.  Retailers are still grappling with underlying uncertainty as they try to keep pace in the context of these multifaceted challenges.  Looking ahead, delivering value – whether that’s through ranging or by giving shoppers compelling reasons to visit stores – will remain central to turning the tide on footfall performance.”

MONTHLY TOTAL UK RETAIL FOOTFALL (% CHANGE YOY)

UK FOOTFALL BY LOCATION (% CHANGE YOY)

RETAIL FOOTFALL (% CHANGE ON 2019)

This data has been provided for continuity

TOTAL FOOTFALL BY NATION AND REGION

TOTAL FOOTFALL BY CITY