'Too hot to shop' as heatwaves hit high street
Footfall for June was down year on year as the heat hit shoppers urge to splurge.
With the UK in it's third heatwave in as many months, the warm weather may have seen a spike purchases of BBQ's and fans, but it hasn't been good news for the high street.
June’s record heatwave brought a blow to retailers as the uncomfortable temperatures kept shoppers away according to new figures.
Total UK footfall was down 3.4% year on year last month, and our high streets were the worst hit suffering the sharpest 6.2% decline in shopper numbers. That's according to British Retail Consortium (BRC)-Sensormatic data.
As you might expect though air-conditioned shopping centres and retail parks proved more resilient, visitor numbers to those were down down 2.5% and 0.3% respectively on last June.
Scotland was the only nation to experience a rise in overall footfall, up 1.7%, with Northern Ireland, Wales and England seeing declines of 0.9%, 2.3% and 3% respectively.
It's not just the heat hitting the high street
BRC chief executive Helen Dickinson said: “The heatwave may have affected footfall, but retailers face a bigger challenge: rising costs.
“Businesses are working hard to deliver value for customers, yet higher taxes and regulatory burdens are making it harder to invest, create jobs and grow.
“Government action on business rates and energy costs would help unlock investment to revive our local communities.”
Andy Sumpter, a retail consultant for Sensormatic, said: “June saw UK retail footfall remain under pressure, with total visits down 3.4% year-on-year, bringing the year-to-date figure down to minus 3.3% at the halfway point.
“While the overall trend remains subdued, it continues to reflect a cautious consumer who is making fewer, more considered trips.
“Exceptionally high temperatures are likely to have influenced behaviour, particularly in the South, where record heat and travel disruption made shopping trips less appealing.
“At the same time, consumer confidence is improving slightly but remains low, with wider uncertainty continuing to weigh on discretionary spend.”