The British Retail Consortium (BRC) reported that retail UK foot traffic (foot fall) decreased by 5.0 percent year-over-year (YoY) in December, down from a 0.7 percent decline in November, according to BRC-Sensormatic IQ data. 

The latest report from the BRC covers the period from November 26 to December 30, 2023.

  • High Street foot traffic decreased 4.2 percent YoY in December, down sequentially from the 1.7 percent decline in November,
  • Retail Parks saw foot traffic decrease 4.8 percent YoY in December, down sequentially from the 1.0 percent reported in November, and
  • Shopping Center foot traffic decreased 7.4 percent YoY in December, compared to a 2.2 percent decrease in November.

“December’s heavy rain left many shoppers reluctant to brave the elements, who instead opted to browse online before making final purchases, or shop online altogether,” suggested Helen Dickinson, chief executive at the BRC. “This led to a substantial decline in footfall levels compared to December 2022, when there was significant pent-up demand for in-store shopping post-COVID-restrictions. Some cities, such as Edinburgh, bucked the trend and saw footfall levels rise in December thanks to recent investments in new, exciting shopping destinations.”

Of the UK nations, Scotland saw the least significant YoY decline in foot traffic, showing a decrease of 2.2 percent. Northern Ireland saw a 4.7 percent YoY decline in foot traffic, followed by England and Wales, posting a 5.8 percent year-over-year decline.

“One of the wettest Decembers on record combined with dampened consumer confidence and ongoing spending caution meant some retailers may have been left disappointed in last month’s footfall performance,” added Andy Sumpter, Retail Consultant EMEA for Sensormatic Solutions. “While we saw festive glimmers of shopper traffic peaks in and around discounting days, such as Boxing Day when footfall improved +39.2 percent week-on-week, many may have been waiting for a last-minute Christmas trading rush that never came. There’s little doubt that the overall downward year-on-year trajectory in store visits in December—usually the crescendo of the Golden Quarter—will have come as a blow. Retailers will be hoping that demand improves as inflation starts to ease and the impact of the inflationary spending squeeze on disposable incomes softens.”

Image courtesy Bloomberg