Retail footfall in Wales suffered the biggest year-on-year decline of any 海角视频 nation in June, while Cardiff experienced the biggest dip of any core city.
According to the Welsh Retail Consortium footfall in June in Wales was down 4.1% on June 2023, compared to a decline of 2.3% for the 海角视频 as a whole. The fall in June though was slightly less than the 5% experienced in May compared to a year earlier. The fall in Wales was the second highest of any nation or region or the 海角视频, behind the south east of England which was down 5%.
The only year-on-year growth was experienced in the north east of England and Scotland, both up 0.2%. The fall in Northern Ireland, 0.6%. and in England, 2.6%, was sallower than Wales. Welsh shopping centre footfall decreased by 2.4% in June, which was 1.4% worse than May.
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Of the core cities of the 海角视频, Cardiff experienced the biggest year-on-year fall in June with a 5.1% dip - although better than May’s 9.1% fall.
The biggest rise was in Belfast, up 3.7%.
TOTAL FOOTFALL BY NATION AND REGION
GROWTH RANK |
NATION AND REGION |
Jun-24 |
May-24 |
1 |
North East England |
0.2% |
-0.2% |
2 |
Scotland |
0.2% |
-5.4% |
3 |
Northern Ireland |
-0.6% |
-3.0% |
4 |
North West England |
-0.8% |
-2.3% |
5 |
East of England |
-1.4% |
-3.0% |
5 |
Yorkshire and the Humber |
-2.1% |
-4.6% |
7 |
South West England |
-2.2% |
-4.0% |
8 |
London |
-2.5% |
-2.2% |
9 |
England |
-2.6% |
-3.4% |
10 |
East Midlands |
-3.5% |
-5.5% |
11 |
West Midlands |
-4.0% |
-2.9% |
12 |
Wales |
-4.1% |
-5.0% |
13 |
South East England |
-5.0% |
-5.0% |
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TOTAL FOOTFALL BY CITY
GROWTH RANK |
CITY |
Jun-24 |
May-24 |
1 |
Belfast |
3.7% |
0.7% |
2 |
Edinburgh |
2.4% |
-4.6% |
2 |
Glasgow |
2.2% |
-4.8% |
4 |
Liverpool |
1.1% |
-1.8% |
5 |
Manchester |
-0.9% |
-1.8% |
6 |
Leeds |
-2.1% |
-3.0% |
7 |
London |
-2.5% |
-2.2% |
8 |
Nottingham |
-3.1% |
-6.7% |
9 |
Bristol |
-3.5% |
-5.4% |
10 |
Birmingham |
-4.0% |
1.6% |
11 |
Cardiff |
-5.1% |
-9.1% |
Sara Jones, head of the Welsh Retail Consortium, said: "Retailers saw a modest uplift in Welsh shopper footfall in June, with an increase on May’s drab figures. The figures do remain down compared to 2023, but the upward trajectory when compared to the previous month will give the industry hope of a summer pick up and a sustained improvement across all Welsh shopping destinations. With the prospect of warmer weather, and a plethora of events, concerts and sporting occasions providing a potential boost to footfall, retailers will continue to combine offers and value to their ranges to entice shoppers back to the high street.
“Whilst the industry continues to work hard to keep costs down for customers, the challenge of ongoing cost pressures remains and poses a threat to any continued improvement. It is vital that the everywhere economy, which retail is front and centre of, remains a priority for our elected representatives at both ends of the M4. Retailers will be hoping that a new 海角视频 Government can work with the Welsh Government to prioritise economic growth and introduce footfall boosting measures.”
Andy Sumpter, a retail consultant EMEA with Sensormatic Solutions, which carried out the research, said: “June’s footfall saw an improvement in performance compared to last month. With the rain finally giving way to drier and sunnier weather, this along with events including the start of the 2024 Euros and Taylor Swift’s Eras tour helped to deliver an ambient boost to shopper traffic.
“However, while edging up compared to May, store visits remain marginally down compared to 2023, suggesting recovery in shopper traffic has yet fully to turn a corner. Retailers will be hoping that major sporting events, including Wimbledon and the Paris Olympics, provide positive opportunities to entice shoppers into store.”