June's record-breaking heatwave dealt a blow to retailers as uncomfortably high temperatures deterred shoppers from high streets, according to new data from the British Retail Consortium (BRC) and Sensormatic. Total UK footfall declined by 3.4% year-on-year last month, with high streets experiencing the steepest drop of 6.2% in shopper numbers.
Resilience of Shopping Centres and Retail Parks
Air-conditioned shopping centres and retail parks proved more resilient, with visitor numbers falling by 2.5% and 0.3% respectively compared to June last year. This suggests that consumers sought refuge from the heat in climate-controlled environments, mitigating the overall decline in footfall for those retail formats.
Regional Variations
Scotland was the only nation to record an increase in overall footfall, rising by 1.7%. In contrast, Northern Ireland saw a decline of 0.9%, Wales dropped by 2.3%, and England experienced a 3% decrease. The data highlights how the heatwave's impact varied across the UK, with southern regions particularly affected by record temperatures and travel disruption.
Industry Reactions
Helen Dickinson, chief executive of the BRC, commented: “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, added: “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.”
Broader Implications for Retailers
The footfall decline underscores the challenges facing retailers as they navigate seasonal weather extremes alongside structural pressures such as rising operational costs and changing consumer habits. With the year-to-date footfall now at minus 3.3%, the sector hopes that cooler autumn weather and potential interest rate cuts could stimulate a recovery in shopper traffic.
