Footfall Monitor: Opportunity for new government to bring footfall home this summer
Report Excerpt
Helen Dickinson OBE | Chief Executive | British Retail Consortium
“With June failing to live up to last year’s heatwave, overall footfall declined last month compared to the previous year. However retail parks and shopping centres did see an uptick compared to the previous month’s washout, and footfall levels in Edinburgh and Liverpool were boosted as Taylor Swift enchanted crowds of fans. Retailers are hoping that warmer weather and maybe, just maybe, a successful European Championships for England could bring footfall home this July.
“As the new government forms today, it is vital that the problems facing local communities are addressed in its first hundred days. Planning reform must be a priority - a fast-track planning system, which includes automatic approval in certain cases will give retailers tools to invest up and down the country. Speeding up these processes, alongside reform of business rates, will help town and city centres to thrive. With our high streets undergoing transformation, as properties are used more often for wider purposes beyond retail, these reforms are essential for successful regeneration of local areas across the UK and ensuring footfall recovers in the medium and longer term.”
Andy Sumpter | Retail Consultant – EMEA | Sensormatic Solutions
“June’s footfall saw an improvement in performance compared to last month. With the rain finally giving way to drier and sunnier weather, this along with events including the start of the 2024 Euros and Taylor Swift’s Eras tour helped to deliver an ambient boost to shopper traffic. However, while edging up compared to May, store visits remain marginally down compared to 2023, suggesting recovery in shopper traffic has yet fully to turn a corner. With home-nation hope still alive in the Euros, retailers will be hoping football – and footfall – will be coming home in July, as other major sporting events, including Wimbledon and the Paris Olympics, also provide positive opportunities to entice shoppers into store.”
Overview
In June, footfall traffic declined by 2.3% year-on-year (YoY) which again showed a clear improvement from May, albeit a continuation of the downward trend which started in March 2023. Due to a slow start to the summer weather, a late heatwave was not enough to offset the decline of footfall in June, emphasising the challenges that retail footfall is currently facing. As warm weather approaches, a summer filled with events such as the Euros and the Olympics, along with the General Election providing change, means retailers are hopeful for positive footfall into the summer months.