Latest news with #BRC-Sensormatic
Fashion Network
2 days ago
- Business
- Fashion Network
May's dip in footfall numbers tips over into June - BRC-Sensormatic
Data gatherers agree, it's been a slow start to summer shopping. The latest to record a softly-softly approach from consumers to retail spending is BRC-Sensormatic. Activity for the four weeks covering 4-31 May dipped to -1.7% year-on-year, way down from +7.2% in a busy Easter April. High Street footfall fell to -2.5% in May, down from +5.3% in April, Retail Parks proved their ongoing resilience, increasing 0.2% but still fell from +7.5%the previous month and Shopping Centre footfall dipped 2.3% in May down from +5.6% in April. It said footfall decreased year-on-year across all nations: down 0.4% in Wales, 0.7% in Scotland, 1.4% in Northern Ireland, and the largest decrease of 2% in England. BRC CEO Helen Dickinson said: 'Despite favourable weather throughout May, footfall took a disappointing turn last month, following a more promising start to the year. 'While stock markets stabilised, higher household bills depressed consumer sentiment and the appetite to visit retail stores.' Andy Sumpter, Retail consultant EMEA for Sensormatic, added that the early good weather 'may have favoured outdoor leisure over shopping. Still, May's result is a marked improvement on the -3.6% seen in the same month last year and reflects a more stable trend in 2025 overall.' He added: 'Encouragingly, consumer sentiment has shown signs of improvement, with more shoppers feeling optimistic about their personal finances and the wider economy. Notwithstanding ongoing cost pressures, retailers will be looking to make hay while the sun shines—focusing on the right mix of experience, value, and convenience to convert seasonal footfall into sustained growth.' Earlier this month, MRI said footfall numbers were also slow at the start of this month (1-7 June) from the previous week, the sharpest week-on-week decline experienced since the seven days that followed the Easter period. It said overall, weekly footfall in UK retail destinations weakened by 8%, especially noticeable in shopping centres (-10.4%) with high streets following closely behind (-9%). Retail parks witnessed a more modest decline in activity at -3.5%.
Fibre2Fashion
2 days ago
- Business
- Fibre2Fashion
UK retail footfall down 1.7% in May after April surge
Total retail footfall in the UK dropped by 1.7 per cent in May compared to the same month last year, a sharp contrast to the 7.2 per cent rise observed in April. The downturn affected all major retail formats, with High Streets, Shopping Centres, and Retail Parks all reporting weaker performances, according to the latest data from the British Retail Consortium (BRC) and Sensormatic IQ. High Street footfall fell by 2.5 per cent year-on-year in May, following a 5.3 per cent increase in April. Shopping Centres saw a 2.3 per cent decrease, down from a 5.6 per cent rise the previous month. Retail Parks were the only format to show a slight increase, up 0.2 per cent year-on-year, though this was significantly below April's 7.5 per cent growth. Footfall also declined across all four UK nations. England recorded the steepest fall at 2 per cent, followed by Northern Ireland (down 1.4 per cent), Scotland (down 0.7 per cent), and Wales (down 0.4 per cent). UK retail footfall fell by 1.7 per cent year-on-year in May, reversing April's 7.2 per cent rise, as per BRC-Sensormatic data. High Streets and Shopping Centres saw drops of 2.5 per cent and 2.3 per cent, respectively, while Retail Parks edged up 0.2 per cent. All UK nations reported declines. Analysts cited cost pressures, subdued consumer sentiment, and a shift toward outdoor leisure. Helen Dickinson, chief executive of the BRC , said: 'Despite favourable weather throughout May, footfall took a disappointing turn last month, following a more promising start to the year. While stock markets stabilised, higher household bills depressed consumer sentiment and the appetite to visit retail stores. Retail Parks performed the best of all locations, though only registering a slight uptick in shopper traffic. There was also positive news in the North West, as Manchester's string of summer activities solidified its position as one of the top-performing English cities. 'Retailers work hard to deliver vibrant, engaging shopping experiences that attract customers and boost footfall across the UK. However, the Chancellor's 2024 Budget added £5 billion to the industry's costs, hampering their ability to do so. The government must now ensure that upcoming reforms to business rates to be announced in the 2025 Budget leave no shop paying more. These reforms should support and incentivise, rather than penalise, the investment needed to revitalise our high streets and town centres.' Andy Sumpter, retail consultant EMEA for Sensormatic , commented: 'May's footfall figures showed a modest decline, with total UK retail visits down -1.7 per cent year-on-year. High Streets and Shopping Centres saw similar drops of -2.5 per cent and -2.3 per cent respectively, while Retail Parks edged up slightly by +0.2 per cent, continuing to demonstrate their resilience. 'Despite the warm and sunny weather—more typical of peak summer than late spring—footfall didn't quite follow suit, suggesting that consumers may have favoured outdoor leisure over shopping. Still, May's result is a marked improvement on the -3.6 per cent seen in the same month last year and reflects a more stable trend in 2025 overall. 'Encouragingly, consumer sentiment has shown signs of improvement, with more shoppers feeling optimistic about their personal finances and the wider economy. Notwithstanding ongoing cost pressures, retailers will be looking to make hay while the sun shines—focusing on the right mix of experience, value, and convenience to convert seasonal footfall into sustained growth.' Fibre2Fashion News Desk (KD)
