Footfall slides as shoppers stay at home - BRC

Retail footfall eased in September, industry research showed on Friday, as the unseasonably warm weather put off shoppers.

According to the latest BRC-Sensormatic IQ Monitor, total UK footfall decreased by 2.9% year-on-year in the five weeks to 30 September, further adding to August’s 1.9% decline.

Within that, footfall on high streets fell by 1.7% and by 2.4% in retail parks. The heaviest fall was seen in shopping centres, where footfall was 4% lower year-on-year.

Helen Dickinson, chief executive of the British Retail Consortium, said: "During the warmer-than-expected weather, footfall slowed in September, with fewer shoppers across all locations.

"High streets and retail parks held up slightly better as the returns to school helped increase the number of shopping visits at the start of the month."

Andy Sumpter, EMEA retail consultant at Sensormatic Solutions, said: "Footfall remained subdued as consumer caution on discretionary spending stayed high, perhaps prompted by shoppers withholding spend to save ahead of the golden quarter and Christmas.

"While retailers will be hoping this month’s first fall in food prices in two years will mark the beginning of the end of inflationary-driven pressure on household budgets, many will recognise that the reality of inflationary-driven interest rates - and consequently higher mortgage and rent payments - will be with us higher and for longer, meaning once again retailers will be required to run faster just to stand still."

Retail analysts often refer to the last three months of the year as the golden quarter, in recognition of the importance of festive spending for many retailers.