The UK’s retail sector faced significant challenges in November, witnessing a notable decline in footfall.
- Data from the British Retail Consortium and Sensormatic Intelligence revealed a 3.7% year-on-year drop in November, a marked change from October’s 3.6% decline.
- Overall footfall in the UK decreased by 4.5% in November, with retail parks and shopping centres experiencing significant drops.
- Regional differences were observed, with all four UK nations experiencing declines, particularly Scotland and Wales with 6.8% and 7.1% decreases respectively.
- The altered timing of Black Friday, coupled with Storm Bert’s disruption, contributed to these figures, impacting consumer confidence.
In November, the UK retail landscape witnessed a substantial decrease in customer footfall. Recent data from the British Retail Consortium and Sensormatic Intelligence indicated a 3.7% year-on-year fall, reflecting a further drop from October’s rates. Total footfall in the UK fell by 4.5% over the same period.
The decline in foot traffic was particularly evident in specific retail settings. Retail park visits saw a reduction of 1.1%, significantly down from a 4.8% increase in October. Simultaneously, shopping centre footfall plummeted by 6.1%, building on a 1.6% decline observed in the previous month.
All four nations within the UK noted a decrease in footfall year-on-year. England reported a fall of 4.2%, Scotland 6.8%, Wales 7.1%, and Northern Ireland 2.8%. These figures underscore a consistent trend across the UK, showing a nationwide drop in retail visits.
The scheduling of Black Friday appeared to have a notable impact on the statistics. This year’s later Black Friday sales, occurring on 29 November, were not included in the monthly data. In contrast, the sales contributed to the figures in the previous year, creating an unfavourable comparison.
Helen Dickinson of the British Retail Consortium highlighted that the disappointing figures were exacerbated by lower consumer confidence and adverse weather conditions due to Storm Bert. Andy Sumpter from Sensormatic noted retailers’ concerns, as the decline hampers early Christmas trade expectations.
Despite hopes for upcoming seasonal sales, November’s footfall decreases highlight ongoing challenges across the UK’s retail sector.
