Retailers saw a sharp decline in April’s footfall figures, after the impact of an early Easter and consumer fears of future price rises played into a -10.7% decline in store visits, says new figures from the British Retail Consortium (BRC) and Sensormatic.

BRC-Sensormatic data showed that last month total UK footfall decreased by -10.7%, with High Street footfall declining by -9.2% and Retail Parks by -9%.

With Easter falling into March this year (compared to April in 2024), this is thought to have impacted year-on-year footfall comparisons, resulting in artificially higher figures in March (+2.4%) but lower numbers in April.

When combined, footfall over March and April 2026 fell by -3.9% overall versus 2025. However, “even after correcting for Easter, April was still a weak month for footfall,” said Helen Dickinson, Chief Executive of the BRC.

“The ongoing conflict in the Middle East pushed consumer confidence to new lows, prompting consumers to make fewer trips to the shops.”

Andy Sumpter, Retail Consultant EMEA for Sensormatic, commented that April’s performance delivered a “sobering reminder” of how fragile retail’s footfall recovery remains.

“Retailers will be hoping that a sunnier outlook and major sporting events, like the World Cup, help reverse this trend in the months ahead,” Dickinson added. “However, the prospect of higher inflation due to the conflict in Middle East could limit consumer appetite for shopping.”

Sumpter also pointed to the trend for fewer but more considered shopping trips, adding that “opportunity remains.”

“Those who are out and about are often there to spend, making every shopper more valuable… winning their custom will depend on delivering value, relevance and good reasons to return,” he concluded.