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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 º£½ÇÊÓƵ 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 º£½ÇÊÓƵ to experience a bigger rise than Wales was the north east of England at 0.7%.

For the º£½ÇÊÓƵ 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 º£½ÇÊÓƵ 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 º£½ÇÊÓƵ 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