The latest BRC-Sensormatic IQ Footfall Monitor report revealed decreases across most retail locations, with total UK retail footfall decreasing by 2.2% (YoY); high street footfall decreased by 2.7% (YoY); shopping centre footfall decreasing by 3.3% (YoY), with retail park footfall remaining flat at 0.0% (YoY).
The British Independent Retailers Association (Bira) has warned that disappointing footfall figures for December show mounting pressures on independent retailers, with concerning implications for 2025 as business costs continue to rise.
“These figures paint a worrying picture of the challenges facing independent retailers,” comments Andrew Goodacre, ceo of Bira. “The decline in footfall during the crucial Christmas trading period is particularly concerning, as this is typically when retailers need to generate the revenue that will see them through the quieter months ahead.”
Continues Andrew: “With retailers facing increases in National Insurance contributions, National Living Wage, and business rates, many independent stores will struggle to maintain viability. We urgently call on the government to reconsider the planned business rates increase for maintain viability. We urgently call on the government to reconsider the planned business rates increase for small retailers.”
As retailers battle the £7 billion of increased costs in 2025 from the Autumn Budget – including higher employer NI, National Living Wage and new packaging levies – the British Retail Consortium’s (BRC) chief executive, Helen Dickinson, says that there is little hope of prices going anywhere but up.
“Modelling by the BRC and retail CFOs suggest food prices will rise by an average of 4.2% in the latter half of the year, while non-food will return firmly to inflation.The Government can still take steps to mitigate these price pressures, and it must ensure that its proposed reforms to business rates do not result in any stores paying more in rates than they do already.”
Mike Watkins, head of retailer and business insight, NielsenIQ, added: “Higher household costs are unlikely to dissipate anytime soon so retailers will need to carefully manage any inflationary pressure in the months ahead.”
Top: Pressures are mounting on the high street.
