Footfall across all UK retail destinations declined by -0.3 per cent from 2nd-29th July 2023, compared to a rise of 3.7 per cent in June, with constant downpours seeing high streets as the worst affected destination, down -1.7 per cent.
In contrast to June’s record-breaking temperatures, customers took cover from the rain in July, increasing foot traffic in retail malls by 1.7 per cent from June. According to the most recent data from retail experts MRI Springboard, foot traffic in retail parks (including outlet sites) also saw a minor improvement in July, increasing by 0.7 per cent.
In July, foot traffic at UK retail locations increased annually by 2.1 per cent compared to +4.2 per cent in June. In high streets, foot traffic increased by just 1.2 per cent in July 2022 compared to a 5.2 per cent yearly increase in June 2022. The yearly increase from 2022 in retail parks was constant at 1.8 per cent for the second month, and in shopping malls, it slightly decreased to +4.1 per cent from +4.4 per cent in June.
Diane Wehrle, Insights Director at MRI Springboard, said, “The greater impact on footfall in high streets is in part likely to be due to the rain, as shoppers tend to gravitate towards either the covered environments of shopping centres or retail parks as they are easier to access by car.”
