Data suggests that UK retail footfall is beginning to recover from the disruption caused by the riots. Credit: Mareks Perkons via Shutterstock.

Despite a significant drop in footfall at the beginning of August 2024 due to widespread riots, UK retail footfall showed signs of recovery in the latter part of the month.

According to data released by the British Retail Consortium (BRC) and Sensormatic Solutions, total UK footfall decreased by just 0.4% year-on-year in August, a significant improvement from the -3.3% decline seen in July.

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The biggest impact of the riots was felt on high streets and shopping centres, which saw footfall declines of 0.3% and 1.8% respectively in August.

However, retail parks, which may have benefited from shoppers avoiding more central locations, saw a 2.6% increase in footfall during the month.

“While year-on-year footfall changes improved in July, they remain in negative territory. Local communities need government to implement its high streets plan to help drive footfall back into growth,” said Helen Dickinson, CEO of the BRC.

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“The upcoming budget is an opportunity to move forward with the plan to fix the broken business rates system which acts as a brake on retail investment, and contributes to our declining high streets as it leads to so many store closures up and down the country.”

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“Despite the unrest at the beginning of the month, a strong footfall performance in the second half of August, helped by an easing of price inflation, fair weather and a boost from school and bank holiday trade, saw year-on-year shopper traffic rise to its highest level since July 2023,” said Andy Sumpter, retail consultant for Europe, the Middle East and Africa for Sensormatic Solutions.

“Retailers will be hoping that the resilience seen in August, with footfall tantalisingly close to returning a positive year-on-year performance, will lead to longer-term growth for store traffic.”

Overall, the data suggests that UK retail footfall is beginning to recover from the disruption caused by the riots.

However, the ongoing challenges facing the retail industry, such as high inflation and rising costs, mean that continued government support and innovative strategies will be necessary to ensure the long-term viability of high streets and shopping centres.