UK retail footfall bounces back in September, but still less than pre-pandemic levels

Total UK football fell by 13.7% in October compared with October 2019, said the latest BRC-Sensormatic IQ data. This is a 3.2 percentage points improvement on September and above the 3 month average decline of 16%, suggesting that customers are returning to shops.

The UK figure is also ahead of Spain (-19.2%), Germany (-26.1%) and France (-34.9%).

Helen Dickinson, the BRC’s chief executive, said: “It was great to see the UK leading the way for footfall in October among the major European economies.

“This gives more retailers a reason to be hopeful as we enter the crucial golden quarter, with many embracing both digital and physical connections with their customers, and indicates that retail is playing a key part in the economic recovery.”

Andy Sumpter, retail consultant EMEA for Sensormatic Solutions, added: “October’s footfall bounced back after the September slowdown, as traffic was bolstered by half term and Halloween – now retail’s third-biggest trading event after Christmas and Easter.

“Halloween proved a welcomed excuse for seasonal socialising and helped consumer confidence around in-store shopping to remain un-spooked by the UK’s rising covid-19 infection rates.”