Stormy weather washes away footfall
Covering the four weeks 04 – 31 October 2026According to BRC-Sensormatic data:
- Total UK footfall decreased by 4.7% in October (YoY), down from -2.9% in September.
- High Street footfall decreased by 5.2% in October (YoY), down from -3.0% in September.
- Retail Park footfall decreased by 3.6% in October (YoY), down from -1.7% in September.
- Shopping Centre footfall decreased by 4.1% in October (YoY), down from -3.5% in September.
- Footfall decreased by 3.1% (YoY) in Northern Ireland, 4.3% in Scotland, 4.6% in England, and by 6.3% in Wales.
Helen Dickinson, chief executive of the British Retail Consortium, said: “Footfall fell sharply in every part of the UK in October. Low consumer confidence was likely a key factor in the decline in visitors, as households navigated rising inflation and high energy costs. Of all destinations, High Streets were hit the hardest, as the stormy weather led many consumers to stay home or use locations with easy parking options.
“With a new government high street strategy, the rejuvenation of our shopping destinations is a clear priority. To do this, we must make them safe for both shoppers and retail staff. While there are positive signs that the police are cracking down on organised crime and repeat offenders, it is vital that the government grants the police the powers promised in the Crime and Policing Act. The commencement of this legislation would scrap the £200 threshold for low-level theft and give workers the protections they need, making our high streets safer for all.”
Andy Sumpter, head of consulting & analytics – EMEA for Sensormatic, said: “October proved a difficult month for UK retail destinations, with footfall falling by -4.7% year-on-year, the steepest decline recorded since April. Retailers at high streets, retail parks and shopping centres all experienced lower visitor numbers as consumer confidence continues to decline in the face of ongoing economic pressures.
“Halloween delivered a brief seasonal uplift, but beyond that, retailers found little to celebrate. The month’s performance suggests that shoppers are continuing to prioritise essential spending, leaving discretionary retail expenditure under pressure despite the arrival of the Golden Quarter.
“Shopping centre themselves provided the month’s sole positive headline, with visits increasing by a marginal +0.1%. Yet against a backdrop of declining footfall across the wider market, even this modest gain stood out. Attention now turns squarely towards the Black Friday period, which increasingly looks like a critical opportunity to inject some momentum into a Golden Quarter that has so far struggled to live up to its name.”
MONTHLY TOTAL UK RETAIL FOOTFALL (% CHANGE YOY)
UK FOOTFALL BY LOCATION (% CHANGE YOY)
TOTAL FOOTFALL BY NATION AND REGION