UK retailers suffer ‘summer slump’ as footfall falls once again

footfall falls

Shoppers turned away from UK high streets in droves last month, as footfall plummeted to its worst June figures for seven years. Footfall across shopping areas fell by 2.9% for the month, as the retail downturn accelerated from 0.9% decline in the same month last year. This announcement, along with recent news that many large retailers are having to close their stores, suggests that consumer trends have changed and the high street needs to adapt to these changes. Ubamarket’s nationally representative research conducted across 2,000 people has revealed that 53% of shoppers prioritise convenience when they shop in-store. How can retailers take this information onboard to make the UK shopping experience more enjoyable and convenient?

Will Broome, CEO and Founder of retail tech app Ubamarket, commented on the announcement:

This week’s announcement of falling retail figures should encourage retailers both large and small to innovate and advance their in-store offerings and prioritise enhancing every customer’s experience when they shop in bricks and mortar stores. Although online shopping is convenient, and our research has proven time and time again that a vast majority of customers still prefer to shop in-store. That being said, bricks and mortar retail doesn’t currently meet the expectations of modern shoppers and new technology is not just an improvement at this point but a necessity.

Customers shouldn’t need to queue to pay for their shopping, nor should they have to wander stores aimlessly looking for a particular item. For modern shoppers, time is precious, and the high street is doing itself a disservice by expecting shoppers to abide by outdated systems. UK consumers value their local high streets and it is only by improving the level of service offered on the high street that retailers will be able to usher in a new era of bricks and mortar shopping.

Shared by: Charlotte Cavanagh – charlotte@42bruton.com

EAN Content

Content shared by this account is either news shared free by third parties or sponsored (paid for) content from third parties. Please be advised that links to third party websites are not endorsed by Estate Agent Networking - Please do your own research before committing to any third party business promoted on our website. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

You May Also Enjoy

Breaking News

What landlords need to know about the upcoming Renters Rights Bill

The government’s long-awaited Renters Rights Bill is one of the most significant overhauls of the private rental sector in decades. While it has not yet received royal assent, the legislation is expected to come into effect late this year, or early in 2026. With the bill moving closer to becoming law, Steven Bond, managing director…
Read More
Breaking News

Mortgage approvals bounce back in May

The latest figures show that: – Mortgage approvals on house purchases for May sat at 63,032 up 3.9% from 60,656 in April. The monthly increase seen in May marks the end of four months of previous decline, with approval levels having fallen each month since January of this year. Approvals are also 2.5% higher than…
Read More
Breaking News

Money and Credit – May 2025

Key points: Net borrowing of mortgage debt by individuals increased by £2.8 billion to £2.1 billion in May, following a large decrease in net borrowing of £13.8 billion to -£0.8 billion in April. Net mortgage approvals for house purchases increased by 2,400 to 63,000 in May. Approvals for remortgaging also increased by 6,200 to 41,500…
Read More
Breaking News

A Year on from Reform: Leasehold Practitioners Call for Clarity

A recent survey of ALEP members reveals widespread frustration over unfinished legislation and uncertainty A year after the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act (‘LAFRA’) appeared on the Statute Books, a new survey of property professionals reveals that while reform remains welcome in principle, confusion and delay have left leaseholders, freeholders and their advisers in limbo.…
Read More
Countryside
Breaking News

Countryside charm continues to drive downsizer demand

The latest research from over-50s property specialists, Regency Living, reveals that England’s countryside locations continue to attract strong demand for park home living and lead the way in quarterly growth during Q2 2025. Regency Living analysed current park home for-sale stock listed across every English county, identifying where demand has increased the most since Q1…
Read More
Breaking News

South East tops table for shared living demand

The South East is home to the most competitive house share rental market in Great Britain. That is according to the House Share Demand Index for Q2 2025 from COHO, the HMO management platform, which found that one in five (19.9%) house share opportunities in the region were snapped up by tenants in the second…
Read More