High street footfall boosted by June heatwave

Shopper numbers increased 0.8% year on year in June, ahead of the three-month average of 0.5%, according to the latest BRC-Springboard Footfall and Vacancies Monitor.

Retail parks were the biggest beneficiary during the four weeks to July 1, registering a 2.3% jump in footfall.

That was compared with a 1% drop in June 2016.

High-street footfall climbed 0.9% across the same period, as shoppers opted to spend the heatwave outdoors.

But shopping centres suffered a 0.8% decline year on year as customers made the most of the sun.

This did, however, represent an improvement on the 2.3% slump posted in June last year.

BRC chief executive Helen Dickinson said: “The arrival of summer spurred greater shopper footfall in the majority of retail destinations in June.

“High streets and retail parks saw solid growth in footfall, as shoppers headed out to renew their wardrobes and purchase other seasonal items.”

But Dickinson added it would be “challenging” to sustain footfall growth.

She said: “Amid economic uncertainty and mounting concern over the inflationary squeeze on household incomes, sustaining growth in shopper footfall will be challenging, more so as retailers seek to convert that into an improved performance at tills.”

Springboard marketing and insights director Diane Wehrle said the rise in footfall had not translated into additional sales, according to its sales tracker.

Wehrle said department store sales slipped 1.6% and fashion stores declined 2.3%.