MRI: Retail Footfall Holds Steady In August As High Streets Lead Growth

MRI Software has published retail footfall for August, covering the four-week period from 3rd August – 30th August 2025.

• Retail footfall continued to rise marginally by +0.3% in August 2025 compared to last year in all UK retail destinations driven by a +0.8% uplift in high street activity. Shopping centres also witnessed a marginal uplift of +0.1% whereas retail parks witnessed a decline of -0.9%. 

• Compared to July 2025, retail footfall fell marginally by -0.6% in August driven by a -1.6% drop in high street visits. Retail parks and shopping centres saw modest gains of +0.1% and +0.8%, respectively. 

• Weekday and weekend footfall rose by +0.3% and +0.5%, respectively, year on year which reflects the school summer holiday season as vacation time increases and the weekday/weekend period blends into one. 

• As the summer of sport and events continued, regional cities outside of London saw a surge in footfall by +6.4% compared to last year, as did Central London (+1.6%). Coastal towns continued to see a significant increase in visits month on month with footfall rising by +9.5% however annual levels remained -1.2% lower.

UK retail footfall saw continued growth in August, rising +0.3% year-on-year, driven by visits to high streets which recorded a +0.8% uplift compared to last year. Shopping centres witnessed marginal growth by +0.1%, while retail parks declined by -0.9%. 

Month-on-month, overall footfall dipped slightly by -0.6% compared to July, led by a -1.6% drop in high street visits. However, shopping centres (+0.8%) and retail parks (+0.1%) saw modest gains bolstered by the final week of the month coinciding with shopping for back-to-school essentials and payday weekend. 

August’s results reinforce the notion of resilience within retail stores and destinations across the UK. Despite the economic backdrop, footfall continues to stabilise, with high streets proving their strength as destinations for leisure and social activity during the summer holidays. The school break remains a key driver for footfall, but the challenge lies in converting seasonal traffic into sustained momentum as we head into Autumn. 

The extended holiday period also blurred weekday and weekend behaviours, with footfall rising +0.3% and +0.5% respectively compared to last year. Major summer events boosted visits to regional cities outside of London (+6.4% YoY), while Central London saw footfall increase by +1.6%. Coastal towns enjoyed a +9.5% uplift month-on-month, though they remain -1.2% below last year’s levels which could reflect an increase in holidays abroad in August.

Overall, retail sentiment remains cautious. According to MRI Software’s Insights from the Inside*, 70% of store managers surveyed say school holidays drove in-store activity this summer, but 55% expect September sales to remain lower than last year, signalling potential consumer tightening ahead of the Golden Quarter. As the retail sector moves into autumn trading, preparation is key. Retail leaders prioritising the experiential factor, leveraging local events, and have the ability to adapt quickly and benefit from data-driven insights will be primed to capture footfall and spend during the Golden Quarter.

*A weekly survey of over 700 store managers which provides insights from the shop floor around how external factors and consumer behaviour are impacting both footfall and spending.

Source : MRI Software

Image : AmbrosiniV / Shutterstock / 1783336670

For all the very latest news and intelligence on the UK's largest home improvement and garden retailers, sign up for the Insight DIY weekly newsletter.