April footfall boosted by spring sunshine and late Easter
UK footfall was up over April, boosted by spring sunshine and the late Easter.
UK footfall was up over April, boosted by the spring sunshine and Easter falling in April, fresh data found.
Total UK footfall rose 7.2% during the four weeks from 6 April to 3 May, up from -5.4% the month prior, according to the British Retail Consortium (BRC).
High street footfall increased 5.3% over the period, rising from -4% in March, while retail park footfall jumped 7.5% from -1.2% the month before.
Shopping centre footfall was boosted 5.6% over the period, increasing from 5.8% in March.
Footfall rose year on year across England (6.7%), Scotland (6.9%), Wales (13.6%) and Northern Ireland (14.3%).
However, the trade association highlighted that by looking at March and April together compared to the same time in 2024, to cancel out the late Easter, total UK footfall only rose 0.2%.
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High street footfall was also up 0.2%, while retail park footfall nudged up 2.7% and shopping centre footfall fell 0.7%.
BRC CEO Helen Dickinson said: “A late Easter and some welcome rays of sunshine encouraged shoppers to head out to their local shopping destinations in April.
“Adjusting for the late fall of Easter this year, footfall across March and April showed a small but positive trend, with retail parks continuing to perform the strongest out of all locations. This reflected the unseasonally warm and bright weather right across the UK.”
She added: “The Labour Party pledged to revitalise high streets across the country, however, current proposals to reform the business rate system will lead to higher bills for many anchor stores on our high streets.
“These businesses drive footfall to key shopping areas and to the many smaller retailers, cafes and other businesses that reside there.
“If the government wishes to see thriving town and city centres, it must ensure no shop pays more as a result of business rates reform, thereby enabling retailers’ ability to invest in their local communities.”
Earlier this month, the BRC and KPMG reported that retail sales edged up in in March, with small rises seen across both food and non food revenues.
However, the organisation again pointed out that Easter falling in April this year, compared to March last year, resulted in an artificially higher April.
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