UK retail footfall dropped -1.8% year-on-year in June as soaring temperatures and heatwave conditions cooled shopper traffic to stores, data from the latest BRC-Sensormatic Monitor revealed. 

High Streets saw the greatest decline in store visits last month, falling by -3% compared to 2024 and down from -2.5% in May.  Retail Parks fared better, with footfall decreasing by -1.1% in June, however this was down by -1.3 percentage points from May (+0.2%).

“Extreme weather meant shoppers stayed away from their local stores last month, leading to a decline in footfall across retail locations,” Helen Dickinson, Chief Executive of the British Retail Consortium, said. “High Streets were particularly affected as extreme heat was followed by severe thunderstorms, discouraging visits.”

Sunshine fails to spark physical retail revival

“The sunshine wasn’t enough to spark a retail revival,” Andy Sumpter, Retail Consultant EMEA for Sensormatic, added. “With footfall still in the red, it appears that consumer confidence has yet to find its feet.”

However Sumpter added that “the rate of decline is easing,” suggesting summer trading offered retailers “an opportunity to turn seasonal footfall into sustained momentum, especially [for] those who can deliver value, experience and convenience in equal measure.”

“Subdued consumer sentiment means shoppers remain cautious – making it increasingly difficult for retailers to generate strong footfall into their stores,” Dickinson said. She added that despite the Government’s election promises to reinvigorate the High Street, “footfall remains negative, with retailers struggling to invest more in stores due to the rising costs from the last Budget.”

While June footfall faltered, online orders flourished

While High Street footfall struggled in the heat, online orders saw a significant spike in June, thanks to the combination of heatwave temperatures and Father’s Day gifting, according to data from Scurri.

Its Scurri Unpacked index, based on insight from 200million+ annual shipments, showed June was a standout month for ecommerce, with a +25% rise in sales compared to last year. Seasonal categories experienced the strongest performance, with order volumes for garden and outdoor products up +48%, homewares increasing by +46% and sports equipment rising +31%.

“The uplift in outdoor, gifting and lifestyle categories shows how quickly consumer needs can shift and the importance of responding in real-time to capitalise on sales,” said Rory O’Connor, Founder & CEO of Scurri.