Footfall on high streets and in shopping centres has fallen to an “unprecedented” low, according to new research from the British Retail Consortium (BRC).
The figures show that year-on-year footfall in April 2018 decreased by 3.3 per cent – a “significant” decline compared to the positive rate of 1.6 per cent seen the year previous.
This is also below the 12-month average of minus 1.8 per cent.
The report also reveals that the national town centre vacancy rate was 9.2 per cent in April 2018, up from 8.9 per cent in January 2018, meaning almost 1 in every 10 shops remains unoccupied.
The disappointing figures have been largely attributed to wet weather and “changing consumer behaviour” – which encompasses the shift to online shopping and a general decline in spending.
Helen Dickinson OBE, Chief Executive, BRC, said: “A wet start to April had a dampening effect on visits across the UK’s shopping locations adding to the long-term downward in footfall resulting from changing consumer behaviour. That shift in the way we shop, coupled with a highly challenging business environment, is having a significant impact on the nation’s high streets: in April nearly 1 in 10 shops in town centres was vacant.
“While these figures highlight the difficulties faced by retailers, they also point to the evolution of the industry. Retailers are embracing changing customer behaviour and adapting to a challenging environment by rebalancing investment in physical and digital infrastructure. Policy-makers can help support our industry and the re-making of our high streets by creating a progressive policy environment that allows retailers to adapt successfully.”
Springboard, which co-published the report, said it has not since the depths of recession in 2009 has footfall over March and April declined to such a degree.