Wet weather keeps shoppers at home
Covering the four weeks 01 – 28 Feb 2026
According to BRC-Sensormatic data:
- Total UK footfall decreased by 4.7% in February (YoY), down from -0.6% in January.
- High Street footfall decreased by 5.4% in February (YoY), down from -1.9% in January.
- Retail Park footfall decreased by 3.1% in February (YoY), down from 1.1% in January.
- Shopping Centre footfall decreased by 5.5% in February (YoY), down from -0.8% in January.
- Footfall decreased year-on-year across all nations: down 2.3% in Northern Ireland, 3.0% in Scotland, 5.0% in England, and the largest decrease of 5.8% in Wales.
Helen Dickinson, chief executive of the British Retail Consortium, said: “One of the wettest Februarys on record saw shoppers shy away from in store visits last month. Footfall was down across all locations, with high streets and shopping centres hit hardest – a blow felt most keenly by clothing and footwear retailers. Every UK region saw fewer shoppers, but some northern cities, more used to wet weather, proved more resilient. London was among the weaker performers, recording its steepest drop in footfall since April 2024. ”
“While the Government can’t control the weather, it can help turn footfall around by incentivising local investment. Its recently announced plan for a new High Street Strategy must look at outdated taxes such as business rates which for too long have held back our local communities. The decisions taken in the 2025 Budget and the need for subsequent new support for pubs shines the light on a system that has long passed its sell by date. The Strategy needs to recognise that raising so much tax revenue through property taxes is no longer sustainable. The industry remains ready to work with Government on a solution that brings a sunnier outlook for both businesses and consumers.”
Andy Sumpter, retail consultant EMEA for Sensormatic, commented: “February proved a more challenging month for UK retail, with footfall slipping further into decline and reversing the tentative progress seen in January. Exceptionally heavy rainfall – well above the seasonal average – kept shoppers away from high streets and retail destinations, driving a natural shift towards online shopping as consumers chose convenience and shelter from the downpours.
“Economic pressures added an extra layer of strain. Continued food price inflation and rising unemployment continued to weigh on household budgets, making both discretionary trips and discretionary spending easier to delay. For retailers, the combination of a soggy month and tightened consumer confidence made February a difficult backdrop to trade against.
“Still, there are reasons to look forward. With Mother’s Day on the horizon and the prospect of brighter, more inviting spring weather ahead, retailers will be hoping for a lift in shopper sentiment – and in footfall – as consumers re engage and return to stores.”
MONTHLY TOTAL UK RETAIL FOOTFALL (% CHANGE YOY)
UK FOOTFALL BY LOCATION (% CHANGE YOY)
TOTAL FOOTFALL BY NATION AND REGION
| GROWTH RANK | NATION AND REGION | Feb-26 | Jan-26 |
| 1 | Northern Ireland | -2.3% | 3.8% |
| 2 | South West England | -2.8% | -1.7% |
| 3 | Scotland | -3.0% | 5.1% |
| 4 | Yorkshire and the Humber | -4.0% | 1.2% |
| 5 | East Midlands | -4.3% | -1.9% |
| 6 | North West England | -4.5% | 0.2% |
| 7 | South East England | -4.7% | -2.0% |
| 8 | England | -5.0% | -1.4% |
| 9 | North East England | -5.1% | -1.2% |
| 10 | East of England | -5.8% | -3.0% |
| 10 | Wales | -5.8% | -2.8% |
| 12 | West Midlands | -5.9% | -3.9% |
| 13 | London | -6.3% | -1.1% |
TOTAL FOOTFALL BY CITY
| GROWTH RANK | CITY | Feb-26 | Jan-26 |
| 1 | Bristol | -1.6% | -0.8% |
| 2 | Manchester | -2.3% | 1.8% |
| 3 | Edinburgh | -2.5% | 5.5% |
| 4 | Belfast | -2.8% | 1.4% |
| 4 | Leeds | -2.8% | 4.0% |
| 6 | Glasgow | -3.5% | 4.8% |
| 7 | Cardiff | -4.7% | -2.4% |
| 8 | Sheffield | -5.8% | 0.6% |
| 9 | London | -6.3% | -1.1% |
| 10 | Liverpool | -8.5% | -1.0% |
| 11 | Birmingham | -10.4% | -7.1% |