UK retail footfall saw another month of decline, according to BRC-Sensormatic data, with shopper traffic decreasing by -0.4% year-on-year in August, remaining unchanged from the -0.4% dip it suffered in July.

While High Street footfall saw a modest improvement, rising to +1.1% last month compared to 2024 – a +2.1 percentage point swing from July (-1.7%) – retail parks experienced a -1.1% decline.

Shopping centre visits remained unchanged at 0% compared to 2024, but up from -0.3% in July.

An uncomfortable retail reality

Matt Clark, EMEA Leader, Retail at AlixPartners, said that the footfall figures highlight what is becoming “an uncomfortably familiar reality for UK retail,” as subdued consumer confidence prompts spending hesitation, particularly on big-ticket items and non-essential items.

Commenting on the dip in August shopper traffic, Helen Dickinson, Chief Executive of the British Retail Consortium (BRC), said last year’s Autumn Budget was to blame: “the last Budget imposed £7billion in new costs, which has limited retailers’ ability to invest in local communities,” she said.

“Retailers continue to be asked to do more with less, even as the cost of delivering great service rises,” agreed Andy Sumpter, Retail Consultant EMEA for Sensormatic. “Growth is possible, but it demands boldness: investment, innovation and a willingness to take calculated risks.”

Spark needed to reignite retail growth

“The industry needs to rebuild its trading muscles and sharpen its competitive edge in today’s retail environment,” said Clark. “Retailers must focus on more creative ways to differentiate and steal share to drive volume growth.”

“To avoid flatlining becoming a new kind of normal, we need a spark,” Sumpter added. “Whether that comes from innovation, creativity or external support or investment, one thing’s clear: a nation of shopkeepers still needs its shoppers.”