Story Highlight
– UK footfall decreased 0.6% in January year-on-year.
– High street footfall fell by 1.9%, retail parks rose 1.1%.
– Improved consumer confidence offers cautious optimism for retailers.
– Government support needed for long-term retail growth.
– January marked best footfall performance in five months.
Full Story
Footfall across the UK continued its downward trend in January, although a rise in consumer confidence hints at a more positive outlook for the retail industry.
Data from the British Retail Consortium, compiled by Sensormatic, revealed a year-on-year decline of 0.6% in total UK foot traffic for January, an improvement compared to December’s drop of 2.9%.
The figures also indicated that footfall on high streets fell by 1.9%, a sharper decline from December’s decrease of 0.9%. In contrast, retail parks enjoyed a growth of 1.1%, bouncing back from a 2.5% fall the previous month.
Helen Dickinson, chief executive of the British Retail Consortium, commented on the figures, stating, “Although footfall edged down in January compared to a year earlier, it was much better than the disappointing Christmas period. The best performing cities were in the north, where shopper traffic was hit badly by severe storms last year, and retail parks also recorded positive growth, as customers made the most of free parking to shop in person during the January sales.”
Dickinson also highlighted the importance of government support for the retail sector, advocating for policies that encourage investment in physical stores and staff: “Upcoming legislation, including the Employment Rights Act, must support the long-term growth agenda, helping create the virtuous circle of jobs, investment in local communities, and footfall growth.”
Retail consultant Andy Sumpter from Sensormatic remarked on the slight recovery in January, describing it as a “welcome reset” for UK retail, noting it was the strongest performance in five months. He observed, “Shopper traffic remained in negative territory, but the dial moved in the right direction, marking a clear improvement on December and the wider golden quarter.”
Sumpter suggested that some of the increase in footfall could be attributed to consumers taking advantage of New Year discounts, seeking value after a financially strained festive season. However, he pointed out that severe weather conditions associated with Storm Goretti hindered shopper activity in certain areas, affecting overall traffic.
He concluded, “January shows that momentum is possible. As retailers aim to capitalise on this more stable start to the year, those who can offer value, experiences, and convenience will be better positioned to transform tentative steps into increased footfall. After a long period of negative foot traffic, and a nearly flat January, some retailers may cautiously anticipate growth in the coming month.”
