High street footfall up in January compared to December

According to BRC-Sensormatic data the total UK footfall increased by 6.6% in January (YoY), up from -2.2% in December.

High Street footfall increased by 4.5% in January (YoY), up from -2.7% in December.

Retail Park footfall increased by 7.9% in January (YoY), up from 0.0% in December.

Shopping Centre footfall increased by 7.4% in January (YoY), up from -3.3% in December.

Footfall increased year-on-year in all four UK nations, with Wales improving by 8.5%, England by 7.4%, Northern Ireland by 3.5%, while Scotland improved by 1.0%.

Helen Dickinson, Chief Executive of the British Retail Consortium, said, “Shopper footfall received a welcome boost in January following a disappointing festive period.

“Store visits increased substantially in the first week of the month as many consumers hit the January sales in their local community, with shopping centres faring particularly well.

“Despite snowy weather and Storm Eowyn causing disruption in some areas, footfall was still positive across major UK cities over the whole month.

“Improved shopper traffic is welcome news for high streets following a particularly difficult ‘Golden Quarter’ to end 2024, and low consumer sentiment to start the year.

“Retailers want to invest more in stores and staff to enhance the shopping experience for customers and help to grow the economy, but the swathe of additional costs from April will limit investment and lead to job losses and higher prices at the tills.

“To drive growth in communities across the country, the government must ensure costs are limited in other areas. This can be done by delaying packaging taxes and ensuring that business rates reform leaves no shop paying more than they currently do.”