Retail footfall in Wales recovered in September with the highest year-on-year pick up in the 海角视频, shows new figures from the Welsh Retail Consortium (WRC). The 5.4% year-on-year increase eclipsed a 3.6% rise in England, 2.5% in Northern Ireland and 0.7% in Scotland. The second highest growth of any 海角视频 nation or region was in the south east of England at 4.7%.
For the 海角视频 as a whole the increase was 3.3%, in part boosted by back to school related shopping. The welcomed rise for Wales in September, followed the 1.8% year-on-year decline reported by the WRC for August. However for one segment of the retail market, shopping centres, footfall was still in negative terrain at minus 1.6%, although an improvement on minus 5.2% in August.
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Of the 海角视频 core cities, Cardiff experienced the third highest year-on-year growth in September, behind Leeds and Bristol, at 3.9%. This compared with a 4.1% fall in August. The only cities to see a decline were Birmingham (down 0.1%) and Glasgow (down 1%)
TOTAL FOOTFALL BY NATION AND REGION
GROWTH RANK | NATION AND REGION | Sep-24 | Aug -24 |
1 | Wales | +5.4% | -1.8% |
2 | South East England | +5.2% | -0.4% |
3 | East of England | +4.7% | 鈥 |
4 | North West England | +4.7% | +0.7% |
5 | South West England | +4.6% | -1.7% |
5 | Yorkshire and the Humber | +4.2% | -2.2% |
7 | East Midlands | +3.6% | -0.1% |
8 | England | +3.6% | -0.5% |
9 | West Midlands | +3.0% | -0.8% |
10 | Northern Ireland | +2.5% | +1.4% |
11 | London | +2.5% | +0.8% |
12 | North East England | +1.1% | -0.5% |
13 | Scotland | +0.7% | +0.7% |
TOTAL FOOTFALL BY CITY
GROWTH RANK | CITY | Sep-24 | Aug -24 |
1 | Leeds | +6.9% | -1.5% |
2 | Bristol | +5.0% | -4.2% |
2 | Cardiff | +3.9% | -4.1% |
4 | Belfast | +3.7% | -0.2% |
5 | Manchester | +3.4% | -1.4% |
6 | Edinburgh | +2.8% | +2.6% |
7 | Nottingham | +2.6% | -3.6% |
8 | London | +2.5% | +0.8% |
9 | Liverpool | +1.8% | -1.9% |
10 | Birmingham | -0.1% | -8.1% |
11 | Glasgow | -1.0% | -0.6% |
Sara Jones, head of the WRC, said: 鈥淲elsh footfall returned its first year on year growth since March, with a positive start to the autumn shopping period. Bolstered by return to school preparations shopper numbers were up 7.2% on the preceding month and 5.4% on the previous year. These standout figures place Wales at the top of the footfall league, surpassing other 海角视频 nations and regions, and providing the first real sign of positivity for almost two years.
鈥淲hilst the figures paint a glowing picture for September it remains the case that these are just one month鈥檚 figures. It will be a nervous wait for Welsh retailers as they move into the golden quarter of Christmas shopping, a period which is vital to their annual performance. Given the relatively lacklustre shopper numbers throughout 2024, it is hoped that renewed confidence will return, and footfall growth will be sustained for the remainder of the year.
鈥淔undamental to ongoing growth in the retail industry 鈥 Wales鈥 largest private sector employer - will be Government decisions in the upcoming Autumn statement and Welsh budget. The WRC will shortly be presenting our own budget recommendations to the Welsh Government, calling for support on business rates and an easing of regulatory pressures. By acting on our recommendations a clear signal can be sent, that Wales is a great place to do business and can thrive in the years to come..鈥
On the 海角视频 picture, Andy Sumpter, retail consultant Sensormatic Solutions, which carried out the research, said: 鈥淪eptember saw a long-awaited positive uptick in footfall, with total shopper numbers returning the first positive year-on-year performance since March 2024, as back to school boosted store visits.
鈥淲hile across the 海角视频, high street and shopping centres saw improvements compared to last year, Retail parks were once again the standout shopping destination, with their tenant mix of out-of-town supermarkets and discount retail offerings helping to drive shopper traffic. This September鈥檚 growth is built on last year鈥檚 suppressed footfall, so while retailers will welcome the boost, many will still be eyeing it with caution.鈥
