Total retail footfall in the UK increased by 1.8% last month on a year-on-year basis (YoY), according to data from the British Retail Consortium (BRC) and Sensormatic IQ.

The growth is also above June 2023’s figure of -1.9%.

Footfall for high streets in July rose by 1.6% YoY, up from 0.6% in the previous month.

Shopping centres across the UK reported footfall growth of 0.2% in July, up from -4.2% in June this year.

Driven by the growth in outlet sites, footfall at other retail locations increased by 8.6%.

BRC data also revealed that Scotland registered the highest YoY increase in footfall of +5.9%.

England and Northern Ireland reported footfall growth of 1.8% and 1.4% over the month.

Wales registered a YoY decrease of -0.1%.

British Retail Consortium chief executive Helen Dickinson said: "July saw modest growth in footfall numbers in all locations across most major cities in the UK, with Scotland and the Northeast leading the way. The rainy start to the summer holidays drove many people off the streets and into the shops, in contrast to last year's heatwave, which kept people outside in the sun.

“The recovery in international tourism continues to drive shopper numbers up in major cities. The government should capitalise on this by reintroducing a tax-free shopping scheme, as exists in all other European Union countries. This would encourage more visitors and stimulate more spending, boosting economic growth and employment.”