13th Jun 2025 04:42
(Alliance News) - UK retail footfall decreased in most categories and all four nations last month despite "warm and sunny weather", the British Retail Consortium reported on Friday.
Total UK footfall decreased 1.7% on an annual basis in May, according to BRC-Sensormatic data, in a "slow start to summer shopping". This was compared with a 7.2% on-year jump in April.
BRC Chief Executive Helen Dickinson commented: "Despite favourable weather throughout May, footfall took a disappointing turn last month, following a more promising start to the year.
"While stock markets stabilised, higher household bills depressed consumer sentiment and the appetite to visit retail stores."
Meanwhile, Sensormatic's EMEA Retail Consultant Andy Sumpter stated: "Despite the warm and sunny weather - more typical of peak summer than late spring - footfall didn't quite follow suit, suggesting that consumers may have favoured outdoor leisure over shopping.
"Still, May's result is a marked improvement on the -3.6% seen in the same month last year and reflects a more stable trend in 2025 overall."
High Street footfall decreased by 2.5% in May against a 5.3% rise in April. Retail Park footfall showed a 0.2% rise, slowing from a 7.5% increase in April. Finally, Shopping Centre footfall fell 2.3% in May, having climbed 5.6% in April.
Also, the BRC said footfall decreased annually across all UK nations. Numbers declined 0.4% in Wales, 0.7% in Scotland, 1.4% in Northern Ireland and 2.0% in England.
"Retailers work hard to deliver vibrant, engaging shopping experiences that attract customers and boost footfall across the UK," Dickinson stated. "However, the Chancellor's 2024 Budget added GBP5 billion to the industry's costs, hampering their ability to do so.
"The government must now ensure that upcoming reforms to business rates to be announced in the 2025 Budget leave no shop paying more. These reforms should support and incentivise, rather than penalise, the investment needed to revitalise our high streets and town centres."
However, Sumpter added: "Encouragingly, consumer sentiment has shown signs of improvement, with more shoppers feeling optimistic about their personal finances and the wider economy.
"Notwithstanding ongoing cost pressures, retailers will be looking to make hay while the sun shines - focusing on the right mix of experience, value, and convenience to convert seasonal footfall into sustained growth."
By Emma Curzon, Alliance News reporter
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