The latest BRC-Sensormatic footfall data for the five weeks from 24 November to 28 December suggests tough times for UK retail. It shows total UK footfall was down 2.2% compared to 2023 in the period. And for the Golden Quarter’s three months to December, footfall dipped 2.5% on a year ago.

And it could have been worse, given that the later timing of Black Friday this year meant that big shopping day fell into December’s figures, improving the month’s result, it noted.

Overall, its figures showed footfall fell year-on-year for all four nations, with Scotland down 1.5%, England (-2.1%), Wales (-2.6%), and Northern Ireland (-5.8%).

By sector, High Street footfall fell 2.7% year-on-year in December, but was better than -3.7% in November; Retail Park footfall was flat year-on-year in December but better than the -1.1% in November; and Shopping Centre footfall dipped 3.3% last month, again though, better than the -6.1% reading in November.

On Tuesday, MRI Software had released its month-on-month figures that were more positive with total retail footfall last month rising 7.1% compared to November. Figures from different sources can vary depending on the exact dates the readings were taken and other factors.

The BRC’s chief executive Helen Dickinson described its findings as “drab” as December “saw fewer shoppers in all locations, capping a disappointing year for UK retail footfall.”

She added: “This means 2024 is the second year in a row where footfall has been in decline. High streets and shopping centres were hit particularly hard throughout the year as people veered towards retail parks to take advantage of free parking and the variety of larger stores.

“Even the Golden Quarter, typically the peak of shopping activity, provided little relief, with footfall down over the period. While the Black Friday weekend delivered more promising results, they were overshadowed by a lacklustre festive season.”

Andy Sumpter, Retail consultant EMEA for Sensormatic, added: “While December saw some flurries of festive footfall around a few key trading days, overall, the picture was filled with much less sparkle as shopper traffic remained subdued in what should have been the highlight of the Golden Quarter.  While store visits did build ahead of Christmas, it was never quite enough to reverse the shopper count deficit against last year.  As footfall limped towards the festive finish line,

“December’s lacklustre performance compounds a disappointing end to 2024, marking the second consecutive year of declining store traffic. Retailers will now need to look afresh to 2025 and chart a course to adopt innovative strategies to reverse this trend or maximise the sales potential of fewer visitors, finding new ways to make each store visit count.”