Britain's high streets experienced a significant downturn in June as record-breaking temperatures deterred shoppers, new figures reveal.
Total UK retail footfall dropped by 3.4 per cent last month compared to the previous year, with the high street bearing the brunt of the decline, suffering a sharp 6.2 per cent fall in visitor numbers.
Data from the British Retail Consortium (BRC)-Sensormatic indicates that air-conditioned shopping centres and retail parks proved more resilient.
These venues saw visitor numbers decrease by 2.5 per cent and a mere 0.3 per cent respectively, suggesting consumers sought cooler environments.
Scotland was the only nation to record an increase in overall footfall, rising by 1.7 per cent, while Northern Ireland, Wales, and England experienced declines of 0.9 per cent, 2.3 per cent, and 3 per cent respectively.
BRC chief executive Helen Dickinson said: “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, said: “June saw UK retail footfall remain under pressure, with total visits down 3.4 per cent year-on-year, bringing the year-to-date figure down to minus 3.3 per cent 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.”
Earlier in the year, it was found that British consumers were making fewer trips to shops, with new figures suggesting that the conflict in the Middle East was dampening confidence.
Data from the British Retail Consortium-Sensormatic revealed that total footfall across the UK declined by 3.9 per cent over March and April compared to the same period last year, a timeframe chosen to mitigate distortions from an earlier Easter.
High street visits saw a 3.3 per cent drop, while shopping centres experienced a 3.5 per cent reduction, and retail parks were down by 3 per cent.
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