UK retailers face a challenging period as footfall declines in November, prompting hopes for holiday sales recovery.
- November saw a 3.7% decrease in high street footfall, following October’s decline, reflecting consumer hesitancy.
- Footfall in retail parks and shopping centers also dropped, with a 1.1% and 6.1% decrease, respectively.
- Regional disparities show significant drops in places like Wales and Scotland, influenced by adverse weather.
- Retailers are counting on Black Friday and Christmas sales to boost the ‘golden quarter’ as consumer confidence remains low.
UK retailers are experiencing a challenging phase as they witness a notable decline in footfall this November, with hopes riding on the upcoming holiday sales to reverse the trend. The month of November recorded a 3.7% drop in footfall on high streets, following a previous decrease of 3.6% in October, suggesting a growing consumer hesitance.
Foot traffic in retail parks and shopping centers has also seen declines, slipping by 1.1% and 6.1% respectively, pointing to a cautious consumer approach across various retail environments. According to Sensormatic data aggregated by the British Retail Consortium (BRC), these figures reflect a widespread reluctance among consumers to engage in shopping activities amid economic uncertainties.
Regional analysis further reveals stark differences; Scotland and Wales experienced declines of 6.8% and 7.1%, respectively, while Northern Ireland saw a slightly smaller decrease at 2.8%. London and Bristol also reported significant downturns, with Bristol leading at 7.7%. These variations indicate the impact of regional factors, such as the disruption caused by Storm Bert, particularly in northern cities, which adversely affected consumer mobility.
The delay of Black Friday until later than usual this year has contributed to the subdued November performance. BRC CEO Helen Dickinson emphasized that this, combined with low consumer confidence, kept customers away from stores. Retailers are now turning their focus to the forthcoming Black Friday and Christmas sales, seen as vital opportunities to rebound as the ‘golden quarter’ of retail approaches.
Acknowledging the current downturn, Sensormatic retail consultant Andy Sumpter highlighted the absence of Black Friday data, which excludes this crucial trading period typically marked by high store traffic. This omission leaves room for optimism as retailers anticipate a surge in sales to jumpstart seasonal shopping during peak trading. Retailers are encouraged to focus not only on inventory and merchandising but also on creating engaging in-store experiences that embody the festive spirit.
Retailers are cautiously optimistic, looking to the holiday season to recover from recent declines and revive consumer engagement.
