Retail footfall in the UK has declined for a fourth consecutive month, after customers neglected to shop at retail parks and shopping centres.
Total UK footfall fell by 0.4% year on year and month on month in August, according to the latest data from the BRC-Sensormatic footfall monitor.
High street footfall saw a year-on-year uplift of 1.1% in August, but fell 1.7% from last month.
Annual footfall across retail parks decreased by 1.1% but saw a 1.7% rise from July. Shopping centre footfall was unchanged year on year but saw an increase of 0.3% from the month previous.
Across all four nations, footfall saw an annual decline. England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales experienced falls of 0.2%, 0.4%, 1.7% and 2.6% respectively.
BRC chief executive Helen Dickinson said: “Despite a modest improvement for high streets, overall retail footfall declined in August for a fourth consecutive month. Sunny weather encouraged shoppers back to town and city centres, with most cities reporting positive growth.
“Sheffield joined Birmingham and Manchester as the country’s top performers. However, the same sunshine did not provide a boost to retail parks and shopping centres, with the former returning to negative territory after a successful July.
“The last Budget imposed £7bn in new costs, which have limited retailers’ ability to invest in local communities. The government’s planned reductions of business rates for retail and hospitality premises are the golden opportunity to change this, and the chancellor must use the Budget to ensure that no shop pays more as a result of reforms.
“This would enable retailers to invest more in our local communities, support local jobs, and relieve pressure on prices.”
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