Covering the four weeks 02 - 29 August 2026
According to NIRC-Sensormatic data:
-
Northern Ireland footfall increased by 2.8% in
August (YoY), up from 2.6% in July.
-
Shopping Centre footfall increased by 6.6% in
August (YoY), up from 6.2% in July.
- In August, footfall in Belfast increased by
1.8% (YoY), up from 0.8% in July.
Neil Johnston, Director of the Northern Ireland Retail
Consortium, said:
Given spiraling cost pressures retailing remains in an extremely
challenging place. The trend across the UK all year has been
declining footfall so shop keepers in Northern Ireland will very
much welcome the increase in footfall for a second successive
month in August.
Northern Ireland was an exception this month in recording an
increase in shopper numbers up 2.8% on the same month last year -
while England, Scotland and Wales were all down. Across the UK as
a whole it was down 1.7%.
Belfast fared reasonably with numbers up by 1.8% compared to last
year. The Fleadh clearly brought huge numbers onto the streets
and was a real boost to tourism and hospitality however the
impact on retailing was more modest.
Retailers have long said that it is important that city centres
are multi-dimensional. To be vibrant they need to have more
residents and office-workers, a robust entertainment offering and
thriving evening economy, as well as a strong retail core. The
Fleadh clearly has a role to play as part of that.
Going forward all retail, hospitality and leisure businesses need
the NI Executive to recognise that we can best build on our
successes by lowering the business rate on all of those who are
working to provide vibrant city and town centres. The UK and
Scottish governments have done this though lower rates for
retail, hospitality and leisure Stormont needs to do the same.
Andy Sumpter, Head of Consulting & Analytics - EMEA
for Sensormatic, said:
August delivered another strong result for Northern Ireland, with
footfall rising +2.8% year-on-year, making it the strongest
performer of the devolved nations and an improvement on July's
+2.6%. At a time when much of the UK has struggled, Northern
Ireland's sustained growth highlights the relative resilience of
its retail sector.
Shopping Centres were a particular bright spot, with retailers
recording a robust +6.6% increase in visits, demonstrating
consumers' continued appetite for destination-based retail.
Belfast also contributed positively, with footfall up +1.8%,
providing a welcome contrast to the challenges facing many larger
cities elsewhere in the UK.
More broadly, August's result suggests Northern Ireland continues
to hold firmer ground than many other parts of the UK despite
ongoing pressures on household budgets. While consumer behaviour
remains cautious, a second consecutive month of strong growth
will be encouraging for retailers as they look to build momentum
ahead of the crucial golden quarter.
MONTHLY TOTAL NORTHERN IRELAND RETAIL FOOTFALL (% CHANGE
YoY)
UK FOOTFALL BY LOCATION (% CHANGE YOY)
TOTAL FOOTFALL BY NATION AND REGION
-ENDS-
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.
