UK retail footfall fell by 2.3 per cent year-on-year in June, with high streets seeing the sharpest decline at 3.1 per cent, according to the latest data from the BRC-Sensormatic IQ Footfall Monitor.

Retail parks and shopping centres also saw footfall fall by 1.4 per cent and 2.3 per cent respectively, despite the warm weather.

Andrew Goodacre, CEO of Bira, said: “The footfall figures are disappointing, especially given the good weather we have all experienced. Despite encouraging retail sales in the first quarter, these footfall trends clearly show how fragile the retail sector is. Consumer confidence remains low, and discretionary spending is most affected. When you combine low footfall and weak sales with rising costs, it creates a recipe for disaster for many independent retailers.

“Bira continues to campaign for greater support for smaller retailers and increased investment in high streets. We are also pushing hard for the removal of the duty-free loophole on ‘low value imports’, which is undermining high street shopping. Millions of items valued below £135 are entering the UK every day, free from duty and VAT. This loophole must be closed, as it does nothing to support the UK economy.”

The South West was the only region to see footfall growth, while all other UK regions reported declines.

Helen Dickinson, Chief Executive of the British Retail Consortium, said: “As inflationary pressure has eased and consumer confidence has improved, people are slowly returning to shopping destinations. Retailers will have looked to June – with its bank holidays, half-term break, and warm weather – as an opportunity to improve shopper numbers, but high streets actually saw the biggest decline in footfall.”

Commenting on the broader picture, Andy Sumpter, Retail Consultant EMEA for Sensormatic Solutions, noted that while there were some positives, they weren’t enough to offset the overall decline.

Mr Sumpter said: “While warmer weather did help to boost footfall in some parts of the UK, it wasn’t enough to counteract the broader downward trend. Retailers will be hoping that as summer continues, events like the school holidays and sporting fixtures bring more shoppers back to stores.”

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