UK retail footfall was ‘steady’ in August – MRI

UK retail footfall across all destinations held steady in August as the industry prepares for (hopefully) a very busy Golden Quarter. 

Overall footfall rose just 0.3% year-on-year last month, driven primarily by a 0.8% uplift across high streets. Shopping centres saw marginal growth (+0.1%), while retail parks dipped 0.9% compared to last year, according to the latest MRI Software figures.

Compared to July, retail footfall fell marginally by 0.6% in August, driven by a 1.6% drop in high street visits. Retail parks and shopping centres saw modest gains of 0.1% and 0.8%, respectively.

Despite the meagre month-on-month dip, the longer school holidays and a summer of sport and events provided a boost, particularly for cities outside London, which saw footfall soar 6.4% year-on-year. Central London rose only 1.6%. Coastal towns also enjoyed a 9.5% monthly uplift, supported by strong domestic tourism, given the prolonged fine summer weather.

“August’s results reinforce the notion of resilience within retail stores and destinations across the UK”, said MRI.

Despite the weak economic backdrop, it said footfall continues to stabilise, with high streets proving their strength as destinations for leisure and social activity during the summer holidays. “The school break remains a key driver for footfall, but the challenge lies in converting seasonal traffic into sustained momentum as we head into autumn”, it noted.

MRI added: “Overall, retail sentiment remains cautious. According to [our] ‘Insights from the Inside’, 70% of store managers surveyed say school holidays drove in-store activity this summer, but 55% expect September sales to remain lower than last year, signalling potential consumer tightening ahead of the Golden Quarter.

“As the retail sector moves into autumn trading, preparation is key. Retail leaders prioritising the experiential factor, leveraging local events, and have the ability to adapt quickly and benefit from data-driven insights will be primed to capture footfall and spend during the Golden Quarter.”