Spring Sunshine and late Easter boost UK footfall

Spring Sunshine and late Easter boost UK footfall

This year Easter was in April, while last year it was in March. This calendar change distorts the year-on-year footfall comparisons – resulting in an artificially higher April, but lower March footfall. In addition to April results, we also report the combined results for March and April to negate this distortion, presenting a clearer view of the underlying footfall trend.

Covering the four weeks 06 April – 03 May 2025

According to BRC-Sensormatic data:  

• Total UK footfall increased by 7.2% in April (YoY), up from -5.4% in March.

• High Street footfall increased by 5.3% in April (YoY), up from -4.0% in March.
• Retail Park footfall increased by 7.5% in April (YoY), up from -1.2% in March.
• Shopping Centre footfall increased by 5.6% in April (YoY), up from -5.8% in March.

• Footfall increased year-on-year across all nations: 6.7% in England, 6.9% in Scotland, 13.6 % in Wales, and the largest increase of 14.3% in Northern Ireland.

Taking March and April together, compared with the same two months in 2024 (to cancel out any impact of Easter):

Total UK footfall increased by 0.2%.

• • High Street footfall increased by 0.2%.
  • Retail Park footfall increased by 2.7%.
  • Shopping Centre footfall decreased by 0.7%.

Helen Dickinson, chief executive of the British Retail Consortium, said: “A late Easter and some welcome rays of sunshine encouraged shoppers to head out to their local shopping destinations in April. Adjusting for the late fall of Easter this year, footfall across March and April showed a small but positive trend, with retail parks continuing to perform the strongest out of all locations. This reflected the unseasonally warm and bright weather right across the UK. In England, the North East saw particularly strong growth in footfall, with Manchester and Liverpool both recording double-digit improvements in footfall. Retailers will be hoping this momentum continues into the summer months.

“The Labour Party pledged to revitalise high streets across the country, however, current proposals to reform the business rate system will lead to higher bills for many anchor stores on our high streets. These businesses drive footfall to key shopping areas and to the many smaller retailers, cafes and other businesses that reside there. If the government wishes to see thriving town and city centres, it must ensure no shop pays more as a result of business rates reform, thereby enabling retailers’ ability to invest in their local communities.”

Andy Sumpter, retail consultant EMEA for Sensormatic, commented: “April brought a welcome rebound in footfall, with shopper numbers rising +7.2% year-on-year across all retail destinations. The combination of Easter trading and the sunniest April on record helped entice consumers back into stores. High Streets and Shopping Centres both saw solid gains of +5.3% and 5.6% respectively. Retail Parks continued to outperform at 7.5%, reinforcing their role as a resilient format.

“Looking at March and April together however, the overall picture for the UK is more balanced, with footfall across the two months up just +0.2% year-on-year. While this suggests that April’s gains largely offset March’s dip, it also highlights the importance of sustained engagement beyond seasonal peaks. Retailers will now be looking to build on this momentum as we move into the summer months.”

MONTHLY TOTAL UK RETAIL FOOTFALL (% CHANGE YOY)

UK FOOTFALL BY LOCATION (% CHANGE YOY)

TOTAL FOOTFALL BY NATION AND REGION

TOTAL FOOTFALL BY CITY

09/05/2025