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modern shoppers, time is precious, and the high street is doing itself a disservice by expecting shoppers to abide by outdated systems.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

Damaged timber from Dry Rot
Estate Agent Talk

Mould and damp – what you need to know ahead of winter

With the winter months just round the corner, problems with damp and mould can become far more prominent. Autumntime is when many people turn on central heating systems and choose to close windows, preventing fresh air ventilation needed to allow damp air to leave a property. Unfortunately, the combination of warm and damp air can…
Read More
Breaking News

Rental price and average salary tracker – September 2025

London and South East see biggest dips in required rental salary year-on-year London and the South East saw the sharpest dips year-on-year in the average salary needed in order to rent the average home in that area. London saw a 4.2% drop, whilst the South East saw a decline of 2.9%. Yorkshire and Humberside saw…
Read More
buying at auction uk
Breaking News

The cities where buying beats renting – with just a 5% deposit

British first-time buyer mortgage payments are typically 17% cheaper than renting, even with a low 5% deposit The average 5% deposit is £11,412 based on a typical first-time buyer property price of £228,233 Among major cities outside London, the biggest gap between owning and renting is in Glasgow, where buyers could save more than £4,750…
Read More
Rightmove logo
Breaking News

Rightmove’s Weekly Mortgage Rates Tracker

Average rates for 2-year and 5-year fixed-rate mortgages   Term Average rate Weekly change Yearly change 2-year fixed 4.51% +0.00% -0.37% 5-year fixed 4.55% +0.01% +0.01%   Lowest rates for 2-year and 5-year fixed-rate mortgages   Term Lowest rate Weekly change Yearly change 2-year fixed 3.77% +0.05% -0.07% 5-year fixed 3.97% +0.10% +0.29%   Average…
Read More
Rightmove logo
Breaking News

Data and commentary from Rightmove on stamp duty reforms

Colleen Babcock, Rightmove’s property expert said: “We’ve been calling for stamp duty reform for some time now, as it’s a significant barrier for many people moving home. Abolishing it completely would remove one of the biggest barriers to moving, unlocking more moves at all stages of the property ladder. “Our data shows that only 5%…
Read More
Breaking News

Second-time buyers dominate demand for longer term fixed mortgage deals

Second-time buyers are dominating demand for longer term fixed mortgage deals, fresh data from Moneyfacts Analyser can reveal. Of those looking for fixed term deals on moneyfactscompare.co.uk: Almost two-thirds (58%) of second-time buyers who compared mortgage deals using the moneyfactscompare.co.uk website were considering terms of three years or longer in the 30 days to 1…
Read More