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Business News Wales
4 days ago
- Business
- Business News Wales
Welsh Shopper Footfall Rises But Sector Warns it is 'Increasingly Fragile'
Retail footfall in Wales was up in July, ahead of the UK overall, but the Welsh Retail Consortium is warning that the sector's position is 'increasingly fragile'. According to WRC-Sensormatic data, Welsh footfall increased by 0.4% in July (YoY), up from -3.3% in June. Shopping centre footfall increased by 0.3% in July (YoY), up from -5.1% in June. Retail park footfall increased by 1.9% in July (YoY), up from -0.7% in June. In July, footfall in Cardiff decreased by 0.3% (YoY), up from -4.0% in June. Sara Jones, Head of the Welsh Retail Consortium, said: 'July brought a decidedly modest but nonetheless welcome lift in footfall across Welsh retail destinations, nudging us back into positive territory after a lacklustre June and May. Shopping centres and retail parks saw a small uplift but Cardiff city centre fell back a touch on the comparable figures from last year. However, this small gain masks deeper concerns — sales of so-called 'non-essential' items remain weak, and the sector continues to tread water. 'Retail's position is increasingly fragile. With statutory costs rising and uncertainty looming over the UK Government's upcoming budget and the Welsh Government's business rates proposals, the pressure is mounting. Add to that years of sluggish consumer spending and additional government-imposed costs, and the message is clear: without urgent, targeted action to reinvigorate our high streets and reduce business rates, policymakers risk undermining the long-term future of retail.' Andy Sumpter, Retail Consultant EMEA for Sensormatic Solutions, commented: 'Total retail footfall for Wales hit +0.4%, ahead of the UK, which remains stubbornly negative at -0.4%. Retail parks were positive yet again, at +1.9%, perhaps yielding the benefits of greater occupancy and continued new openings, while Shopping Centres also moved into positive territory at +0.3%. 'The early-July heatwave, following a scorcher in June, may have lifted leisure footfall more than retail, while one year into a new Labour government, consumer sentiment remains cautious. The underlying footfall trend may be improving, but UK-wide there is still negative growth on negative 2024 figures – raising the question: are shoppers returning, or simply shopping around more as they try to spend less? Either way, retailers who can offer value, experience, and convenience may be best placed to convert tentative footfall into lasting growth.'
Business News Wales
11-07-2025
- Business
- Business News Wales
Retailers 'Need Support to Deliver Investment into Welsh Stores'
The Welsh Retail Consortium is calling for more support for the sector as footfall figures fell in June. The organisation said that rises in the National Living Wage and Employer National Insurance had contributed to a 'hammering' for the retail sector, adding that retailers needed support to deliver investment into stores. It said it wanted to see a positive outcome to business rates reform in Wales to avoid an even higher tax burden for retail. According to WRC-Sensormatic data, Welsh footfall decreased by 3.3% in June (YoY), down from -0.4% in May. Shopping centre footfall decreased by 5.1% in June (YoY), up from -5.4% in May. Retail park footfall decreased by 0.7% in June (YoY), down from 1.2% in May. In June, footfall in Cardiff decreased by 4.0% (YoY), down from -2.1% in May. Sara Jones, Head of the Welsh Retail Consortium, said: 'June footfall figures failed to ignite a summer shopping renaissance, with numbers down across all retail destinations. Shopping centres across Wales were hit particularly badly by the decline in footfall, with a notable fall of 5.1%. 'With July seeing Wales' women's football team in action in the Euros, and with big name concerts and events across the capital and Welsh cities and towns, retailers will be hoping that last month's figures will be buoyed up by a return to our high streets. 'Whilst retailers are working hard to deliver vibrant, engaging shopping experiences that attract customers and boost footfall, they can't sail a solo recovery to help boost the Welsh economy. Given the hammering the industry has taken over recent months, with increased business rates and hikes to Employer National Insurance and the National Living Wage, the Welsh Government should consider what more can be done to boost the sector and support retailers to deliver investment back into Welsh stores. All eyes are now on the plans for Welsh business rates reform and ensuring this doesn't further dampen retailer confidence and lead to a higher tax burden over the next 12 months.' Andy Sumpter, Retail Consultant EMEA for Sensormatic Solutions, said: 'June delivered heatwaves, storms, and what could be the hottest June on record – but even the sunshine wasn't enough to spark a retail revival. Total UK footfall was down -1.8% year-on-year, a gentler drop than the -2.3% seen in June 2024, but still a decline on last year's decline. Wales saw a steeper decline of -3.3%, reflecting the broader regional challenges. UK High Streets fell -3.0%, while Retail Parks and Shopping Centres dipped -1.1% and -1.6% respectively. 'One year on from the General Election, with footfall still in the red, it appears that consumer confidence has yet to find its feet. That said, the rate of decline at a UK level is easing, and with summer now in full swing, retailers have an opportunity to turn seasonal footfall into sustained momentum – especially those who can deliver value, experience, and convenience in equal measure.'
Business News Wales
13-06-2025
- Business
- Business News Wales
Spring Sunshine Hits May Footfall Figures as Consumers Choose Leisure Over Shopping
Unseasonal warm and sunny spring weather may have impacted retail footfall in May as consumers prioritised leisure and outdoor activities. According to WRC-Sensormatic data, Welsh footfall decreased by 0.4% in May (YoY), down from 13.6% in April. Shopping centre footfall decreased by 5.4% in May (YoY), down from 8.1% in April. Retail park footfall increased by 1.2% in May (YoY), down from 11.6% in April. In May, footfall in Cardiff decreased by 2.1% (YoY), down from 9.0% in April. Sara Jones, Head of the Welsh Retail Consortium, said: 'Retailers will be a little disappointed as visits to shopping destinations fell back slightly in Wales in May. Hopes were high after a positive Easter trading period but sadly the figures were a small fall back from 2024's performance. It wasn't all bad news. Wales was the top performing nation in the UK last month, and retail parks continued to show growth. However, visits to Cardiff fell a little, and shopping centres saw a five per cent decrease. 'Last June saw concerts and sporting events draw consumers onto the high street but didn't translate into increased sales. The hope is this summer will see that footfall bounce repeated, but this time hopefully consumers will choose products rather than experiences. With consumer confidence shaky right now and businesses grappling with higher costs there is a lot on the line in the coming months.' Andy Sumpter, Retail Consultant EMEA for Sensormatic Solutions, said: 'Welsh retail footfall held up better than the UK average in May, with a year-on-year decline of just -0.4% compared to -1.7% nationally. High streets and shopping centres still saw some softening, but retail parks continued to show resilience, supported by their convenience and accessibility. 'Despite the warm and sunny weather – more typical of peak summer than late spring – footfall didn't fully reflect the brighter conditions, suggesting that consumers may have prioritised leisure and outdoor activities over shopping. Nevertheless, May's result marks a clear improvement on the -5.0% seen in the same month last year and contributes to a more stable trend in 2025. 'Encouragingly, consumer sentiment is on the rise, with more people feeling optimistic about their personal finances and the wider economy. Notwithstanding ongoing cost-of-living pressures, retailers in Wales 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.'
