Retail footfall continues slow recovery in July

The BRC-ShopperTrak Footfall Monitor for July shows overall footfall decreased by 42.1% year-on-year in July, a big improvement from June’s -62.6%.

Footfall on High Streets declined by 47.5% year on year, which is an improvement on June’s -64.5%.

Shopping Centre footfall fell by 48.1% year-on-year in July, improving on June’s -68.3%. Northern Ireland saw the shallowest shopping centre footfall decline of all regions, with -23.1%. Wales and Scotland saw higher rates of decline than the UK average, with -53.3% and -54.4%, respectively.

Helen Dickinson, chief executive of the British Retail Consortium, said: “While retailers will welcome the improvement in footfall across all shopping destinations, it remains well down on pre-coronavirus levels. The reopening of pubs, cafes and restaurants has also provided some additional footfall to many high streets, including a small boost to local retailers. It remains too soon to say how well retail will recover in the coming months, but it clearly remains a difficult trading period for many physical retailers.

She added: “Retailers have put in place a variety of measures to keep shoppers and staff safe, from regular cleaning and hand sanitiser, to one-way systems and perspex screens at tills. We now need government to play their part by providing clear plans for schools, transport, and office working, all of which impact the way we shop. The safety of the public is a top priority and we believe clear communication will help build public confidence and help bolster local high streets and shopping centres during the summer months.”