UK shopping centre footfall decreased by 3.9% in July. Credit: Taljat David/Shutterstock.

The UK experienced a 3.3% year-on-year (YoY) decline in retail footfall in July 2024, continuing a downward trend from the decline of 2.3% in the previous month, as reported by the British Retail Consortium (BRC)-Sensormatic IQ.  

During the month, high street footfall rose 2.7% YoY, up from a 3.1% decline in June. 

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Footfall in shopping centres faced a 3.9% YoY drop in July 2024, consistent with the decrease seen in May.  

All UK nations witnessed a reduction in footfall compared to the previous year, with England seeing the most significant footfall decline at 3.4% YoY, followed by Wales, which registered a YoY decline of 3.2%. 

Scotland recorded a footfall decrease of 2.3% in July 2024 while Northern Ireland registered the smallest decline at 2.2%. 

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BRC chief executive Helen Dickinson said: “Footfall declined for the twelfth consecutive month, failing to maintain the buoyancy seen in 2022/23. As summer got into full swing, many people have chosen to increase their spending on holidays and leisure activities rather than shopping. 

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“Election week also saw particularly weak footfall, as political electioneering peaked, creating uncertainty for many consumers.” 

“With the election now over, many retailers will be making decisions about how and where to invest in the coming years. Retailers welcomed Labour’s promises to reform both business rates and planning laws – two major factors that often hold back much-needed local investment. 

“If Labour can address these effectively, they could help breathe new life into retail destinations.” 

The latest data from the BRC and NielsenIQ has revealed that shop price inflation in the UK remained unchanged at 0.2% in July 2024 – the lowest rate since October 2021.