High Street retail footfall decreased by 2.3% in January 2024. Credit: William Barton via Shutterstock.com.

Retail footfall in the UK for January 2024 declined by 2.8% year-on-year (YoY), according to data from the British Retail Consortium (BRC) and Sensormatic IQ. 

The figure shows a slight improvement from the 5.0% drop seen in the previous month.  

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Over the four weeks covering 31 December 2023 to 27 January 2024, high street footfall experienced a 2.3% decrease YoY in January – less than the 4.2% fall recorded in December. 

Shopping centres were not as fortunate, with a 5.0% YoY reduction in footfall, although this was an improvement from the 7.4% decline seen in the previous month.  

Retail parks witnessed a smaller decline in footfall, with a 1.8% drop in January compared to a 4.8% decrease in December.  

Across the UK, all the home nations experienced a fall in footfall, with England registering the smallest YoY drop at 2.6%.  

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Scotland followed closely with a 2.7% decrease, while Wales and Northern Ireland saw footfall reduce by 4.5% and 6.8% respectively. 

BRC chief executive Helen Dickinson stated: “Footfall remained on a downward trajectory in January, albeit at a slower rate than in December. Many consumers appear particularly bargain-focused, with the first half of the month boosted by the January sales. However, the latter part of January saw fewer shoppers out as stormy weather led to a bigger footfall decline in shopping centres and high streets. 

“Retail plays a vital part in every community across the country – providing the goods that we need, as well as local jobs and investment.  

“As we move towards a higher skilled, digitally transformed, net zero future, there is a need for more investment in every part of the UK. It is vital the next government finds ways to unlock the full potential of the retail industry, increasing the investment needed to boost local and national economic growth.”