UK Retail Footfall Drops 2.1% Amid July Heatwaves

Extreme heatwaves in July caused a 2.1% year-on-year decline in total UK retail footfall, according to data from Sensormatic and the British Retail Consortium. High street visits fell by 3.8%, while shopping centre footfall dropped by 1.4%. London experienced the most significant decline at 5.3%, as soaring temperatures discouraged the use of tube and train travel.

Regional trends varied, with footfall increasing in Scotland by 2.7% and Northern Ireland by 2.5%, while remaining flat in Wales. The decline in physical store traffic benefited specific sectors, including supermarkets and sellers of cooling technology. Some retailers, such as Next, reported profit guidance upgrades fueled by strong online sales and demand in the Middle East and northern Europe, though furniture and garden plant retailers saw declines.

Helen Dickinson, Chief Executive of the British Retail Consortium, attributed the trend to climate change. She urged the government to reform business rates, arguing that the current system punishes retailers who invest in sustainability and air conditioning to combat extreme temperatures.