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Retail Footfall Down Despite Return of Shoppers After Heatwave

High street visits fell 3.1% as retail parks rose 1% and shopping centre traffic also declined, the British Retail Consortium said.

  • Total UK retail footfall declined 1.7% year-on-year in August, according to the British Retail Consortium and Sensormatic. Cooler temperatures enticed shoppers back following a scorching July, though the sector remains in negative territory.
  • High street visits fell 3.1% year-on-year, showing a slight recovery from July's 3.8% decline when shoppers sheltered from heat. Retail parks recorded a 1% increase, while shopping centre visits slipped 0.5%.
  • Across the nations, footfall fell 2.1% in England, 1.3% in Wales, and 0.1% in Scotland, while Northern Ireland saw growth of 2.8%. Regional variation reflects distinct economic pressures across Britain.
  • BRC chief executive Helen Dickinson said footfall improved on the previous month, though it remains down annually. She added: Retailers dont need warm words, they need lower costs.
  • With his first Budget weeks away, Chancellor Healey faces calls to support the sector. Government action on business rates and energy costs would help keep prices down and sustain communities retail underpins across Britain.
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Retail footfall down despite return of shoppers after heatwave

High street footfall was down 3.1% year on year, an improvement on July’s 3.8% decline when shoppers sheltered from the heat at home.

·London, United Kingdom
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The Independent broke the news in London, United Kingdom on Thursday, September 3, 2026.
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