MRI: Retail Footfall Dipped Last Week

Retail footfall data from MRI Software shows that despite four days of tube strikes, London’s footfall proved resilient, with Central London office hubs up +1.7% week on week and +2.9% year on year as workers found alternative travel options.

Nationally, footfall dipped -3.3% in line with seasonal trends, with shopping centres hardest hit (-5.8%), followed by retail parks (-2.6%) and high streets (-2.3%). The week was split in two, with sharp declines early on, then a late-week rebound in shopping centres and retail parks (+2% to +2.6%), while high streets slipped.

Regionally, city centres outside London ticked up (+0.5%), while coastal towns fell sharply (-10.1%), signalling the end of the holiday season. Retail parks also gained +1% year on year, hinting at early autumn spending that could soon extend to fashion.

Week 37 – SUN-SAT

Last week, footfall continued to decline week on week by -3.3% in all UK retail destinations as the return to offices and school was fully established and aligns with trends seen in previous years for the same week. Shopping centres were hardest hit with visits falling -5.8%, followed by retail parks (-2.6%) and high streets (-2.3%). 

It was a week of two halves for shopping centres and retail parks with declines recorded from Sunday to Thursday averaging -9.3% and -4.9%, respectively. This reflects the staggered return witnessed in the week before last and how prominent last minute shopping was for either the school or office. High streets, however, witnessed the reverse with marginal rises recorded on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday averaging +0.3%. The latter part of the week - Friday and Saturday - saw footfall decline by an average of -4.9%, whereas retail parks and shopping centres witnessed the reverse with visits rising by an average of +2.6% and +2%, respectively, week on week. 

Despite four days of tube strikes, footfall failed to falter in the capital with the return to office notable, particularly in office dense locations in Central London where footfall rose by +1.7% last week compared to the week before and by +2.9% compared to 2024. This highlights the alternative methods of travel available for commuters including the bus and Lime bikes. Regional cities outside of London also noted a marginal uplift of +0.5% whereas the holiday season appears to be over, for now, with coastal town footfall dropping by -10.1% week on week and -5.5% year on year.

Annual levels also remained -1.5% lower driven by a -2.5% decline in high street visits. Shopping centres also noted a -2% drop whereas retail parks saw an uplift of +1% which could suggest that consumers are starting to prepare for Autumn and stocking up on home décor from some of the larger stores found on retail parks. As temperatures fall, this shift could extend to fashion retailers, with demand for autumn and winter clothing likely to strengthen.

Week 37 – MON-SUN

Last week, footfall continued to decline week on week by in all UK retail destinations as the return to offices and school was fully established and aligns with trends seen in previous years for the same week. Much of the drop was driven by a steep decline in shopping centre visits, followed by retail parks and high streets. 

It was a week of two halves for shopping centres and retail parks with declines recorded from Sunday to Thursday. This reflects the staggered return witnessed in the week before last and how prominent last minute shopping was for either school or the office. High streets, however, witnessed the reverse with marginal rises recorded on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday. The latter part of the week – Friday and Saturday - saw footfall decline in high street locations, whereas retail parks and shopping centres witnessed the reverse week on week. 

Despite four days of tube strikes, footfall failed to falter in the capital with the return to office notable, particularly in office dense locations in Central London where footfall rose last week compared to the week before and annually. This highlights the alternative methods of travel available for commuters including the bus and Lime bikes. Regional cities outside of London also noted a marginal uplift whereas the holiday season appears to be over, for now, with coastal town footfall dropping sharply week on week and year on year.

Annual levels also remained lower driven by a modest decline in high street visits. Shopping centres also noted a drop in footfall whereas retail parks saw a modest uplift which could reflect an uptick in consumers preparing for Autumn and stocking up on home décor from some of the larger stores found on retail parks. As temperatures fall, this shift could extend to fashion retailers, with demand for autumn and winter clothing likely to strengthen.

Source : MRI Software

Image : shutterstock / 1137631598 / William Barton

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