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Consumer Spending · Footfall · Retail · UK Economy
UK shopper footfall failed to meet expectations in March despite Easter and school holidays falling earlier than usual, with total UK footfall up 2.4% year-on-year, a figure distorted by the holiday's timing, according to data from the British Retail Consortium and Sensormatic.
High street footfall increased by 2% in March, a significant improvement from a 5.4% drop in February, while shopping centre visits rose by 2.6%, up from a 5.5% fall the previous month. Footfall increased across all UK nations: 1.6% in Wales, 2.3% in England, 3.2% in Scotland, and 4.9% in Northern Ireland.
BRC Chief Executive Helen Dickinson stated retailers expected a stronger boost, noting shopping centres outperformed but overall growth fell short. She indicated warmer weather might sustain footfall, but momentum is not guaranteed without an Easter uplift in April.
Dickinson also highlighted the Middle East conflict weighing on retailer and consumer confidence, with domestic policy costs adding pressure. Andy Sumpter from Sensormatic emphasized that without the final week's Easter bump, March would have remained negative, raising concerns for April against stronger comparables.
He attributed ongoing caution to declining confidence, geopolitical uncertainty, and rising living costs, particularly fuel, which encourages fewer discretionary trips. Sumpter concluded March's return to growth is a step, but the real test is whether footfall can hold once the Easter boost passes.
