Rainy February hits footfall for UK retailers

UK retail footfall dropped by 6.2% between 28 January and 24 February compared with the same period last year, says BRC-Sensormatic data.

The fall happened across all UK nations, although Scotland’s drop was the smallest, at 3.2%.

England fell 6.6%, Northern Ireland 7.1% and Wales steepest of all at 8%.

Helen Dickinson, chief executive of the BRC, said: “Footfall experienced its biggest fall since the pandemic.

“One of the wettest Februarys on record, exacerbated by train strikes at the start of the month, meant shoppers visited fewer stores, with high streets most affected.

“London, where footfall had been outperforming other major cities in the UK, saw one of the most significant declines.”

Andy Sumpter, retail consultant at Sensormatic, added: “The confirmation of the UK’s ‘technical recession’ in 2023 appears to have weakened consumer confidence.

“The wettest February on record probably didn’t help, and even Valentine’s Day, which usually provides a frisson of footfall, failed to woo shoppers into store.

“With the Bank of England signalling the UK’s economy may already be recovering from what it describes as a mild recession, retailers will be hoping signs of an upturn will translate into store traffic and spend, with many looking towards the prospect of an early Easter in March to bring about a change of fortunes.”