UK retail footfall posts strongest September growth since 2023

UK retail footfall fell 4.2 percent month-on-month in September as the summer period ended, but remained 1.3 percent higher year-on-year, marking the strongest annual growth since 2023, according to MRI Software.

High streets recorded the strongest annual uptick at 1.8 percent, followed by retail parks at 0.9 percent and shopping centres at 0.6 percent. The return to school and office routines also helped strengthen regional cities and office-heavy locations.

Weekend visits remained resilient, rising 3 percent YoY across UK retail destinations. High streets saw an even stronger 4.9 percent increase, as warmer-than-usual weather continued to encourage leisure trips.

However, the return to regular routines also put pressure on in-store spending. MRI’s Insights from the Inside survey of more than 700 store managers found that 76 percent reported a fall in spending after schools reopened, compared with the summer holiday period.

At the same time, retailers are seeing signs that Christmas shopping is starting earlier, with nearly six in ten store managers reporting increased interest in seasonal products earlier than expected. The data suggests consumers are becoming more deliberate about when and why they visit physical retail locations, with commuting, school calendars, weather and pay cycles influencing activity.

Looking towards the Golden Quarter, MRI said October will bridge routine autumn spending and the start of seasonal purchasing, with retailers needing to account for continued household financial pressures alongside improving consumer confidence.