Only retail parks saw an increased number of shoppers, with high street footfall down 2.5% from the same month last year and shopping centre footfall down 2.3%. Meanwhile, out-of-town retail parks saw a 0.2% increase in shoppers.
Helen Dickinson, chief executive of the BRC, said the figures were “disappointing” and blamed a hit to consumer sentiment after ‘Awful April’, when many household bills rose.
“While stock markets stabilised, higher household bills depressed consumer sentiment and the appetite to visit retail stores,” she said.
Dickinson said retailers were being hampered by Reeves’ decision to increase the costs of doing business, including income tax.
“The Government must now ensure that upcoming reforms to business rates to be announced in the 2025 Budget leave no shop paying more. These reforms should support and incentivise, rather than penalise, the investment needed to revitalise our high streets and town centres,” she added.
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Optimism rises
However, Andy Sumpter, retail consultant for Sensormatic – which measures shopping footfall – said there was some more optimism in the mix that could feed through to better sales in coming months.
He said: “Consumer sentiment has shown signs of improvement, with more shoppers feeling optimistic about their personal finances and the wider economy.
“Notwithstanding ongoing cost pressures, retailers will be looking to make hay while the sun shines – focusing on the right mix of experience, value, and convenience to convert seasonal footfall into sustained growth.”
