Footfall on UK high streets fell again in May compared to the same month last year, according to the British Retail Consortium (BRC), though the decline was less severe than in April. The BRC recorded a 2.6% drop in footfall year-on-year in May, a significant improvement from the 10.7% slump in April.
The BRC's survey, which includes shopping centres and retail parks, found that high streets fared best with a 1.7% decline, while shopping centres saw a 2.4% drop. Helen Dickinson, chief executive of the BRC, attributed the improvement to warmer weather early in the month, but noted that record-breaking temperatures in the last week deterred shoppers, particularly at shopping centres and retail parks.
Separate figures from accountancy firm BDO showed total high street sales grew by 3.4% in May compared to the same month in 2025. A YouGov and Centre for Economics and Business Research poll found consumer confidence rose by the most since 2021, with its index increasing by 2.6 points to 104.9, driven by improved perceptions of household finances and house prices.
Despite the positive signs, retailers face ongoing challenges. The OECD upgraded its UK growth forecast for this year to 0.9%, up from 0.7% in March, but unemployment has unexpectedly risen to 5% and energy bills are expected to increase sharply later in the year. Sophie Michael, head of retail at BDO, warned that uncertainty from international conflict and rising energy prices could offset temporary boosts from events like the World Cup.
