Retail footfall steadies, but Welsh retailers need more than warm words
Covering the four weeks 05 July – 01 August 2026
According to WRC-Sensormatic data:
- Welsh footfall remained unchanged at 0% in July (YoY), up from -2.3% in June.
- Shopping Centre footfall decreased by 2.9% in July (YoY), up from -3.5% in June.
- Retail Park footfall increased by 2.4% in July (YoY), up from -0.9% in June.
- In July, footfall in Cardiff decreased by 4.2% (YoY), down from -3.9% in June.
Sara Jones, head of the Welsh Retail Consortium, said: “After months of pressure, July’s footfall figures offer a welcome sign of stabilisation for Welsh retailers, with warmer weather encouraging consumers back out to enjoy the retail and hospitality offer across local high streets and in town centres. Over the last seven months, footfall has largely sat below the same period last year, underlining just how tough trading conditions have been. But the latest figure, at 0.0% year-on-year, shows footfall has finally drawn level with the previous year – the strongest point in the seven-month trend and a clear signal that the gap has closed.
“That said, retailers and consumers are heading into autumn with real pressure still ahead. Rising energy costs, squeezed household budgets, higher business costs and continuing inflationary pressures risk knocking confidence just as businesses enter one of the most important trading periods of the year. With the new Welsh Government now well into its first 100 days, this is the moment to properly engage with the retail industry and show that its commitments will be backed by action, not just words. Government must act now to ensure local shops and high streets are not left carrying the burden alone. The latest footfall figure is encouraging, but without meaningful action, this fragile improvement could easily be lost.”
Andy Sumpter, head of consulting & analytics – EMEA for Sensormatic, said: “July delivered a resilient performance for Welsh retail, with footfall remaining flat at 0.0% year-on-year, outperforming the wider UK result of -2.1%. This was particularly encouraging given Wales recorded its driest July on record, alongside exceptionally warm temperatures that would normally be expected to deter shopping trips. Retail Parks once again provided a bright spot, demonstrating the continued appeal of convenience-led retail destinations even during periods of extreme weather.
“While performance varied across the country, Wales continues to show signs of relative stability despite the wider challenges facing retail. That said, the longer-term picture remains more mixed, with five of the first seven months of 2026 performing worse than the same period last year. Even so, July’s result suggests Welsh consumers remain willing to engage with physical retail when offered the right blend of value, convenience and experience, providing retailers with reasons for cautious optimism as the summer continues.”
MONTHLY TOTAL WELSH RETAIL FOOTFALL (% CHANGE YoY)
UK FOOTFALL BY LOCATION (% CHANGE YoY)
TOTAL FOOTFALL BY NATION AND REGION