Retail footfall in Wales increased in October although Cardiff experienced a decline, according to latest figures from the Welsh Retail Consortium.
Footfall rose 0.6% on a year earlier, up from the minus 6.6% in September. Shopping centre footfall was up 0.4% , although for retail parks there was a fall of 0.8%.
Wales was the only nation of the Ƶ to experience a year-on-year rise, with Scotland down 0.1%, England 0.9% and Northern Ireland 0.2%. The only part of the Ƶ to experience a bigger rise than Wales was the north east of England at 0.7%.
For the Ƶ core cities, Cardiff was down year-on-year in October by 2.1%,, behind Birmingham with a 4% decline and Liverpool down 6.5%. Only four of the core cities experienced a rise with Manchester up 1.9%, Edinburgh 0.7%, Sheffield 0.2% and London 0.1%.
Head of the Welsh Retail Consortium, Sara Jones, said: “Welsh shopper footfall showed encouraging signs of recovery in October, rising by 0.6% year-on-year — a marked turnaround from September’s 2.5% decline and the best monthly performance since April. The improvement was seen across all retail destinations and Wales was notably the only Ƶ nation to record growth in shopper numbers, offering a much-needed boost after a challenging summer for the high street.
“Although 2025 has so far delivered a subdued performance for retail, this October uptick provides a glimmer of optimism in the first third of the crucial Golden Quarter. Retailers will be hoping this positive momentum continues into the festive period, helping to offset the difficulties of a challenging year.
“However, with the Ƶ Budget fast approaching and the Welsh Government’s ominous business rates surtax set to impact almost 1,000 stores, there remains a cloud of uncertainty over the industry’s outlook. Unless these cost pressures are addressed, the recovery seen in October could prove short-lived for Welsh retailers.”
TOTAL FOOTFALL BY NATION AND REGION
| GROWTH RANK | NATION AND REGION | Oct-25 | Sep-25 |
| 1 | North East England | 0.7% | -1.4% |
| 2 | South West England | 0.6% | -2.0% |
| 2 | Wales | 0.6% | -2.5% |
| 4 | London | 0.1% | -1.7% |
| 5 | Scotland | -0.1% | -2.3% |
| 6 | Northern Ireland | -0.2% | -0.5% |
| 7 | North West England | -0.6% | -0.3% |
| 8 | England | -0.9% | -1.8% |
| 8 | Yorkshire and the Humber | -0.9% | -1.8% |
| 10 | East of England | -1.8% | -2.8% |
| 11 | West Midlands | -2.0% | -1.0% |
| 12 | East Midlands | -2.1% | -3.1% |
| 13 | South East England | -2.5% | -2.7% |
TOTAL FOOTFALL BY CITY
| GROWTH RANK | CITY | Oct-25 | Sep-25 |
| 1 | Manchester | 1.9% | 3.9% |
| 2 | Edinburgh | 0.7% | -2.5% |
| 3 | Sheffield | 0.2% | 0.8% |
| 4 | London | 0.1% | -1.7% |
| 5 | Bristol | -0.4% | -3.6% |
| 6 | Belfast | -0.7% | 1.6% |
| 7 | Leeds | -1.1% | -1.7% |
| 8 | Glasgow | -1.7% | -2.7% |
| 9 | Cardiff | -2.1% | -7.4% |
| 10 | Birmingham | -4.0% | 2.1% |
| 11 | Liverpool | -6.5% | -3.4% |
Andy Sumpter, retail consultant for Sensormatic Solutions, which carried out the research, said: “Wales was the only Ƶ nation to see footfall growth in October, rising 0.6% year-on-year and reversing September’s 2.5% decline. This builds on October 2024’s 0.4% uplift, suggesting perhaps a more resilient trend in Welsh shopper activity. Shopping Centres saw footfall grow by 0.4%, while retail parks dipped 0.8%. Halloween brought a welcome boost, with footfall rising on the day, and some retailers have already begun discounting to capture early festive spend ahead of Black Friday.
“While inflation continues to ease, Welsh consumers remain price-conscious, shopping around for value and delaying discretionary purchases. Yet, unlike other regions, shoppers here seem less ‘spooked’ by economic uncertainty, with signs of early seasonal engagement. Whether this momentum can be sustained into November remains to be seen, but October’s figures offer cautious optimism for retailers operating in Wales.”
