Shoppers remain scarce say Northern Ireland retailers
Covering the four weeks 06 Jul – 02 Aug 2025
According to NIRC-Sensormatic data:
- Northern Ireland footfall decreased by 3.0% in July (YoY), up from -5.2% in June.
- Shopping Centre footfall decreased by 4.1% in July (YoY), up from -6.0% in June.
- In July, footfall in Belfast decreased by 2.9% (YoY), up from -5.3% in June.
Neil Johnston, director of the Northern Ireland Retail Consortium, said: “July was better than June for visits to stores but that is of little comfort as July was still disappointing. The number of shoppers out and about and going into stores in July in Northern Ireland was 3% down on last year.
“The figures across England, Scotland and Wales are far from encouraging either, however, the Northern Ireland situation is the least upbeat. Belfast was the best performing retail destination but failed to buck the trend with numbers down 2.9% compared to last year.
“Shoppers and retailers are currently experiencing economic challenges. Retailers face increased statutory costs emanating from the last UK Budget, while consumers appear to be reducing shopping activity in response to negative economic news.
“The role of Stormont remains vital in all of this, and it is imperative that the Executive considers how it turns talk about economic regeneration of our High Streets and other retail hubs into reality in the coming months.”
Andy Sumpter, retail consultant EMEA for Sensormatic Solutions, commented: “Total retail footfall for Northern Ireland continues to be negative at -3.0%, behind the rest of the UK, also stubbornly negative at -0.4%.
“The early-July heatwave, following a scorcher in June, may have lifted leisure footfall more than retail, while one year into a new Labour government, consumer sentiment remains cautious. The underlying footfall trend may be improving, but this is still negative growth on negative 2024 figures – raising the question: are shoppers returning, or simply shopping around more as they try to spend less? Either way, retailers who can offer value, experience, and convenience may be best placed to convert tentative footfall into lasting growth.”
MONTHLY TOTAL NORTHERN IRELAND RETAIL FOOTFALL (% CHANGE YoY)
UK FOOTFALL BY LOCATION (% CHANGE YOY)
TOTAL FOOTFALL BY NATION AND REGION
| GROWTH RANK | NATION AND REGION | Jul-25 | Jun-25 |
| 1 | North East England | 1.6% | -1.8% |
| 2 | Yorkshire and the Humber | 1.1% | -2.4% |
| 3 | West Midlands | 0.4% | -0.2% |
| 3 | Wales | 0.4% | -3.3% |
| 5 | North West England | 0.3% | 0.7% |
| 6 | East Midlands | -0.2% | -0.8% |
| 7 | England | -0.3% | -1.4% |
| 8 | London | -0.5% | -2.7% |
| 9 | South West England | -1.2% | -1.6% |
| 10 | South East England | -1.3% | -0.8% |
| 10 | Scotland | -1.3% | -3.0% |
| 12 | East of England | -1.6% | -3.3% |
| 13 | Northern Ireland | -3.0% | -5.2% |
TOTAL FOOTFALL BY CITY
| GROWTH RANK | CITY | Jul-25 | Jun-25 |
| 1 | Manchester | 3.9% | 8.8% |
| 2 | Birmingham | 2.6% | 0.7% |
| 3 | Leeds | 2.4% | -2.3% |
| 4 | Nottingham | 1.4% | -2.5% |
| 5 | Edinburgh | 0.6% | 0.5% |
| 6 | Cardiff | -0.3% | -4.0% |
| 7 | London | -0.5% | -2.7% |
| 8 | Glasgow | -1.5% | -4.6% |
| 9 | Liverpool | -1.7% | -3.1% |
| 10 | Belfast | -2.9% | -5.3% |
| 11 | Bristol | -3.5% | -4.1% |