Rumoured tax rises in the Budget and stormy weather held many shoppers back from hitting the shops last month, the British Retail Consortium (BRC) has said.
Total UK footfall slipped 0.8% in November, down from a 0.7% dip the month before, according to the latest data from the BRC-Sensormatic footfall monitor.
Shopping centres and high streets saw the largest decline in shopper numbers last month, falling 1.3% and 1.2% respectively.
Footfall across the UK’s retail parks decreased 0.4% in November, slightly up from the 0.5% fall it recorded the month before.
BRC chief executive Helen Dickinson said: “Wet weather and the prospect of a tax-rising Budget meant some shoppers held off shopping visits last month.
“Storm Claudia prompted many consumers to search online for Black Friday deals throughout November, leading some to not visit bricks-and-mortar stores on Black Friday.
“There was good news in some northern UK cities as Manchester and Sheffield continued to buck the trend, recording positive footfall for the eighth consecutive month.
“With the golden quarter in full swing, retailers are continuing to invest what they can to entice customers into stores over Christmas.”
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